CEA Elections Begin
Voting opened on April 20 for the Board Election at Chugach Electric Association (CEA). Five candidates are vying for two seats. Members are also being asked to approve a change in the utility’s Bylaws. There are three ways to vote: Electronically, by paper ballot, or at the CEA Member Appreciation Event on May 20. Information on the election and candidates can be found in CEA’s Election Pamphlet: https://www.chugachelectric.com/system/files/2022%20Election%20pamphlet%20Final%20for%20web.pdf
AETP has circulated a questionnaire among the candidates and will publish their responses as they are received.
Electronic voting started on April 20 and will continue until 2 p.m. on May 20. Members should have received an email with the necessary link and voting instructions. Members wishing to use paper ballots must call 907-563-7366 before May 6 to request one. Paper ballots can be returned through the mail or dropped in the secure ballot boxes at 5601 Electron Drive and 3601 C St., Ste. 600 in Anchorage. All paper ballots must be received by noon on May 17 to be counted. Members also have the option of voting in person at the CEA Member Appreciation Event starting at 3 p.m. on May 20.
There are five candidates running for two seats on the CEA Board. The winners will serve a four-year term. Sisi Cooper is a process safety engineer and former member of the CEA Board. Harry T. Crawford Jr. is a retired iron worker, former member of the Alaska State Legislature, and a former member of CEA’s Board. Leslie C. “Fritz” Krusen III is a retired electrical engineer and a member of the CEA Member Advisory Council. Rachel Morse is an incumbent member of the CEA Board, which she currently chairs, and an executive with United Way of Anchorage. Burnell “Bernie” Smith is a retired engineer who has worked for the Regulatory Commission of Alaska and the Alaska Energy Authority, and is a member of CEA’s Member Advisory Council.
CEA members are also being asked to approve a change to its Bylaws. The proposed change would move the deadline for receiving paper ballots in board elections from three days before the Annual Meeting to one day before it. According to the statement of support provided by the Bylaws Committee and Board of Directors, the majority of members now vote electronically, so it is possible to open and tabulate the paper ballots received in a much shorter period of time, allowing for a deadline closer to the Annual Meeting. In 2020 and 2021 only 2 percent of CEA voters used paper ballots.
Candidate biographies and statements, voting instructions, a recording of the candidate forum held on April 14, and the proposed change to CEA’s Bylaws can all be found on the CEA election website: https://www.chugachelectric.com/media/annual-meeting-election
