District 7 Candidate
Candidate Stern Disclosure Report_6.6.2024
I am committed to providing you with cost-effective, reliable, and clean electricity.
QUALIFICATIONS
- Over 30 years of experience in the electric utility industry with a focus on green energy programs, wholesale energy markets, asset valuation, financial restructuring
- Experience directing an engineering team with 80 staff and managing multimillion-dollar, multiyear projects
- Colorado registered professional mechanical engineer
- Author of over 30 professional publications about cost-effective, reliable, clean energy
- Substantial previous work with electric co-operatives on issues related to cost-effective supply and financial restructuring
- Frequent attendance at GCEA board meetings and GCEA climate action coalition meetings
- Homeowner and member of GCEA for 20 years, ski instructor at CBMR, has been officer of two Gunnison County HOAs, married, with two adult children
- Sincere pledge to be responsive to all GCEA members’ questions and concerns
The GCEA is entering a new era in determining its sources of electricity and I have the time and energy to research, listen, and help usher in this new era.
I look forward to meeting as many of you as I can and hearing your concerns.
I am running for the GCEA Board of Directors because I love living in Gunnison County; am passionate about helping organizations find cost-effective, reliable, and clean energy solutions; and have the experience to deliver those solutions.
GCEA is a small fish in a big, complicated, changing pond. The electric utility industry in North America is one of the most complex systems that exist and is undergoing a massive change away from fossil fuels in favor of renewable energy, efficiency, and storage. GCEA has some of the highest electricity rates in Colorado. The long-term debt of Tri-State, GCEA’s main provider, has been downgraded by all three credit rating agencies once or twice, due in part to member departures and unrest, and may be headed towards greater financial difficulty.
Some highlights of my professional experience:
- I have over 30 years of experience in the electric utility industry with a focus on clean energy programs, wholesale energy markets, asset valuation, financial restructuring
- I have worked with electric cooperatives on issues related to cost-effective supply and financial restructuring
- I’ve performed consulting services for electric utilities throughout North America
- I have directed an engineering team with 80 staff
- I have managed many multi-million dollar, multi-year projects
- I am a registered professional mechanical engineer, State of Colorado
- I have an MS in engineering, focus on building energy systems
- I have written over 30 professional publications on technical topics related to utilities.
I am a full-time resident in Gunnison County and have been a member of GCEA since 2004. I’m married, with two adult children. I have attended five GCEA board meetings. I also attend GCEA climate action coalition meetings.
I have recently retired from my consulting career and intend for my GCEA board membership to be a major focus of my time. I want to be responsive to all GCEA members to provide reliable, cost-effective electricity in these challenging times. I look forward to meeting as many of you as I can to learn your concerns.