In your opinion, what is the best way for SMPA to fulfill its mission of providing safe, reliable, affordable, and environmentally responsible electric service?
As a previous employee of SMPA, especially in the metering department, I had the opportunity to field numerous customer complaints; from flickering lights to high bill complaints and ensuring customers safety concerns. I built SMPA’s high voltage demo and put on training all throughout SMPA’s service territory – fire departments, schools and public events. In simple English, I can explain to SMPA’s members what a KWH is, how the meter works, what the configuration of the overhead pole or underground line is on their property. I’ve built line through out SMPA’s service territory, maintained it and spent many nights and days on outages. I have been on almost every pole in my district performing maintenance. With confidence, I can answer most any question about SMPA’s power system and customer usage.

Community Involvement or Volunteer Work:
As a long time resident of Nucla and previous business owner in Naturita, I have given thousand of hours in community service back to our community. I have served on our local school board and served on the area’s water system board (Mustang Water). Currently, I volunteer on Montrose County Sheriff’s Posse Search and Rescue and this year hold office as Board Director: In years past, I served as Secretary/Treasurer and as President. I assist our local game warden with his Hunter Safety Class, usually scheduled one week in March. Also, I am employed as Municipal Court Judge in Nucla (one day a month). I am also employed part-time as a hunting guide with Weimer Outfitters. Another volunteer position I perform is Snow Grooming for our local snow mobile club. I am the currant Commander of our local VFW Post 9058, the most important task we perform is Military Burials for our Veterans.

Why did you choose to run for the SMPA Board of Directors?
When the previous board representative retired, I decided I could bring my experience in the energy industry to the board and assist SMPA in making strategic decisions regarding how to best transition our power system to a cleaner, more resilient one. I’m a licensed engineer, and have worked on clean energy issues for over 30 years, consulting to utilities, regulators, and investors on policies, programs, and technology investments. My vision is we will have a regional power system that is supplied primarily by local, renewable sources, with tools to help optimize electricity consumption patterns. If we plan wisely, costs will go down for all members, reliability will improve, and emissions will be minimized.

Community Involvement or Volunteer Work:
I lived and worked in Telluride in the late 1970s, managing the local food coop and working as a carpenter. I was fortunate to return to the area a few years ago. I currently serve on local boards for EcoAction Partners and the Telluride Mountain Club. I also continue to serve on various energy industry boards and committees, including: Energy Evaluation Asia Pacific (EEAP) and the International Energy Program/Policy Evaluation Conference (IEPPEC)

Why did you choose to run for the SMPA Board of Directors?:
A very large portion of SMPA members were not being represented. My family was a member in the very beginning of SMPA and will continue to be one well into the future. I feel I need to help make good, common-sense decisions now, so my family won't have to pay for rushed concepts in the future.

Community Involvement or Volunteer Work: 

• Norwood School Board, 13 years
• Farmer's Water Development, 6 years

In your opinion, what is the best way for SMPA to fulfill its mission of providing safe, reliable, affordable, and environmentally responsible electric service?
This is an exciting and dynamic time in the power industry.  We're swiftly moving away from fossil fuel sources toward rapidly improving renewable energy and storage technologies.  If SMPA is strategically positioned, we can benefit from this necessary and inevitable transition.  In doing so, we must also manage disruption to vulnerable members of our community.  I believe SMPA's mission calls for the co-op to lead our community boldly through this transition, and I believe if we do so, we can secure cleaner, more affordable, and equally reliable power for our members.

Community Involvement or Volunteer Work:
A real estate agent by trade, I also have a history of community leadership with the Telluride R-1 School Board and San Miguel County, among others.  Through these endeavors, I have exercised leadership and strategic planning skills in community-wide initiatives.  I am committed to helping shape the sustainable future of this region and believe SMPA will play a critical role in that mission.

Why did you choose to run to the SMPA Board of Directors? 
To represent our members and move towards renewable energy programs.

Community Involvement or Volunteer Work:

• Board President for Telluride Council for Arts & Humanities
• Board member for San Miguel Bicycle Alliance
• Volunteer for Habitat for Humanity
• Mountainfilm and Telluride Film Festival volunteer
• Telluride Jazz Festival volunteer
• Announcer for Mountain Village Sunset Concert Series

In your opinion, what is the best way for SMPA to fulfill its mission of providing safe, reliable, affordable, and environmentally responsible electric service? 
 

Transition to the partial generation suppliers for a share of SMPA’s member requirements that offer lower wholesale rates with a larger percentage of renewable resources, plus reliable service, and flexible contracts that allows increasing integration of renewable sources at the local level. Consider innovative net meter policies that are consistent to state requirements and that promote policies that encourage the integration of technologies to mitigate some of the temporal issues of renewable generation. Continue with the rollout of TOU rate structure that matches billing to SMPA costs. In my opinion, TOU rates are important to SMPA’s financial health, and I applaud SMPA’s education campaign and their Member Services Transition Plan to address member concerns during the transition next year.

Community Involvement or Volunteer Work:

I am very active in the local community and have served and am currently serving on several non-profit Boards of Directors / Officer positions. Among these are: the Ridgway-Ouray Community Council (ROCC), and the local Dark Sky Committee. I have consulted with several communities within SMPA’s service area providing suggestions to their lighting ordnances to be Dark Sky friendly and have led the collaboration between ROCC, Top of the Pines, and the Ouray County Board of County Commissioners (BOCC) in obtaining a Dark Sky Park certification for TOP (2021). Plus, ROCC and I collaborated with the Town of Ridgway in obtaining the Town’s Dark Sky certification in 2020.

Why did you choose to run to the SMPA Board of Directors? 
To do my best. To make sure everyone in SMPA co-op has the best price on electricity. And to make sure all linemen and other employees are in the safest environment possible.

Community Involvement or Volunteer Work:

• Silverton Volunteer Fire Dept., Hardrockers Holiday Committee since 1978