Shining a light on the LPEA election

Eight vying for four open seats on co-op’s Board of Directors

by Missy Votel

It’s once again election time at LPEA, with eight contenders vying for four seats on the co-op’s Board of Directors. Ballots were mailed Fri., April 24, asking co-op members to vote for a candidate in their geographic district. LPEA’s board is made up of three members representing each of the four districts, which includes 30,000 members in La Plata and part of Archuleta County. Each year, one seat in each district comes up for election, with Board members serving three-year terms.

Election results will be announced at the LPEA Annual Meeting, Sat., May 16, at Pagosa Springs High School. Ballots must be returned by 4 p.m., Fri., May 15, to the La Plata County Clerk’s Office, either by mail or in person. Members can also vote in person at the Annual Meeting. Registration for the Annual Meeting begins at 9 a.m. and voting must be done by 10:30 a.m.

A breakdown of the candidates follows (for space reasons, we did not include the race in District 1 - Archuleta County between incumbent J. Robert Formwalt and Nicholas “Koli” Kazarinoff.)

District 2 - South and West La Plata County

Gregg Dubit (new candidate) Former executive director for the Four Corners Office for Energy Efficiency (4CORE), Dubit earned a Bachelor’s Degree in Forest Resource Management from the University of New Hampshire, with an education license from Fort Lewis College. He is also the owner of the Durango Dog Ranch, an energy auditor and solar consultant.

As a member of the board, he hopes to make a positive difference in today’s shifting energy landscape, according to his statement. “I believe I have the professional experience and positive energy to make a difference,” he stated. “In my 25 years as a resident of La Plata County, I have helped hundreds of local families and businesses reduce their energy use and cost as a nationally certified energy auditor.”

He added that innovative programs, services, technologies and financing are available and can help reduce energy use. He is also an advocate of locally distributed electricity to reduce bills and create energy independence.

“I will bring sound financial oversight experience,” he stated. “Managing costs, capitalizing on opportunities and increasing services will ensure LPEA’s long-term success.”

Kohler McInnis (new candidate) A Colorado native with more than three decades in business management, McInnis is also the former owner/operator of Kohler’s Printing and Copying. Currently, he is self-employed as a managing member for three investment companies. He also volunteers for Boy Scouts Troop 507, Saint Columba Catholic Church and the Southwest Colorado Area Health Education Center.

McInnis studied at Mesa State and Western State College and is a former commissioner on the 6th Judicial District Nominating Commission and supporter of the Durango, Bayfield and Silverton chambers of commerce.

McInnis is running on a platform of affordable electricity.  “The electricity provided by LPEA affects each of us and we must work together to keep LPEA at the top of their game,” he wrote in his statement. He said he will work with other board members, staff and organizations to make sound business decisions while keeping LPEA financially strong, reliable, transparent and accountable. “In addition, I would encourage the Association to work toward promoting responsible conservation and renewable energy ... reducing our impact on the environment.”

District 3 - City of Durango

Britt Bassett (incumbent) Bassett was raised in La Plata County, where he attended Bayfield schools. He has a Master’s Degree in Nuclear Engineering from the University of Arizona and his career includes working at Los Alamos National Laboratories,  National Center for Atmospheric Research (NCAR) and the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA). He has partnered in the startup of three businesses and is an active partner in CalCom Solar, a business that designs and installs photovoltaic (PV) systems for the agricultural industry in California.

He said his top priorities are to continually strengthen the financial position of LPEA while increasing its range of services. During his tenure, he led the effort to launch LPEA’s community solar garden program.

“The energy industry is changing dramatically and offers opportunities for local economic development that were not available in the past,” he said in his statement. “I have the strong technical background, business experience and leadership qualities to identify these opportunities and help overcome obstacles,” he stated.

Jim Wotkyns (new candidate) A graduate of Colorado State University, Wotkyns moved to Durango in 1981 and is an owner/partner of The Wells Group. He has worked in the oil and gas industry and is a commercial and residential landlord. He also serves as a reserve officer for the Durango Police Department, volunteers for La Plata County Search and Rescue and has served on numerous boards.

Wotkyns believes his business background, board experience and personal ethics will be an asset to LPEA. “The board needs to focus on bylaw compliance, build a code of ethics, and maintain both price and reliability when discussing delivery of electricity,” he stated. “I would like to see the board consider reasonable uses of new and emerging power supplies and technologies.”

District 4 - North and East La Plata County

Heather Erb (incumbent) A Realtor with Coldwell Banker, Erb and her family live at Lemon Reservoir.

Erb said she has been interested in energy since receiving a scholarship in 2010 to study renewable efforts in Europe. She is currently Board vice president and LPEA’s representative to 4CORE, where she helps low-income members reduce utility costs through solar energy assistance programs. During her tenure, she has worked to keep electric rates low and address the shift from carbon-based to renewable energy, she said in her statement. She also chaired the LPEA Community Solar Garden (CSG) taskforce, which led the way for four local community solar projects.

“The shift from carbon to renewable energy sources is happening with or without us. I believe we must and can secure the benefits of this change to empower our community and keep our energy dollars local,” she stated. “We must encourage non-LPEA funded local energy development to ensure local control and keep our energy rates lower.”

Karen Barger (new candidate) The owner of Seasons Rotisserie & Grill, Barger is a longtime supporter of local farmers and ranchers. She also founded the Durango Wine Experience, which has generated more than $35,000 for nonprofits in La Plata County.

Barger has served on numerous local boards, including the Business Improvement District, most recently as chair. With a military son, she is a supporter of Blue Star Mothers and is involved with La Plata County’s first responders.

With more than 20 years’ business experience, she believes she would bring a unique perspective to LPEA. “I have thorough understanding of budgeting, projections, payroll and benefits, as well as marketing and staff development and training,” she said in her statement. “I am concerned with the direction the organization is heading with board policies that require members to subsidize programs at a time when all our dollars are precious.”  She said she would weight every decision she makes with an eye for sustainability, health and economic prosperity.