DMEA Board President, Olen Lund – right foreground- Tom Wills photo
DMEA Board Elections Approaching, Make an Informed Vote
Members of Delta-Montrose Electric Association (DMEA) will soon be asked to cast their vote for their director representatives. In an effort to encourage informed votes and member participation, the co-op partnered with the League of Women Voters of Montrose and Delta Counties to host two candidate forums last week. DMEA realizes that many members are often unable to attend the forums. Therefore board candidates are also asked to answer a variety of interview questions in their official nomination packets.
This year, there is one contested election in District 2. The candidates are Kyle Martinez, Mandy Norris-Snell, Tammy Theis, and Richard Harding. Their responses to the interview questions are transcribed below.
Q. Where are you from originally?
Kyle Martinez: Born in Montrose. Raised in Olathe, CO.
Mandy Norris-Snell: Born and raised in the Montrose/Olathe area.
Tammy Theis: Native of Colorado, born in Denver, transplanted to Western Slope as a teenager.
Richard Harding: Dayton, Ohio
Q. What is your educational background?
Kyle Martinez: Graduated Olathe High School. Graduated w/ Bachelor of arts Political Science from University of Colorado. Pursuing Masters in Health Care Administration from Colorado State University – Global Campus.
Mandy Norris-Snell: I have a Bachelor’s in Business Administration from Colorado Mesa University with a concentration in Business Management. I graduated from Olathe High School as Valedictorian.
Tammy Theis: 1976 Cedaredge High School, Delta County, Colorado
1983 University of Scranton, PA – Electrical Engineer Technician
Richard Harding: Graduated from Chaminade High School 1972. Wright State University, Dayton, Ohio 1972-1974, Metropolitan State College, Denver, Colorado 1974-1976, IRS Training Schools, Dallas, Texas 1975, School of Live Insurance Marketing – Lafayette, Louisiana 1981, CLU Classes Tyler, Texas 1982-1984, NASD Training Course, Dallas, Texas 1984, Real Estate Sales Training Course, Montrose, Colorado 1994-1995, Colorado Water Rights Training Course, Montrose Colorado 1997, Real Estate Broker Training Course, Montrose, Colorado 1998.
Q. As a board member you would have a fiduciary responsibility to the members of the cooperative, what is your financial background?
Kyle Martinez: Started and operate farm in Olathe that grows “Olathe Sweet” sweet corn, silage, grain corn, hay, onions, and pinto beans. Helped start and operate Homecare Agency that serves parts of this Rocky Mountain Region. (Touch of Care)
Mandy Norris-Snell: I own and manage a successful small business in Montrose and have served as a board director on two other local boards. While an employee of Xcel Energy, I helped prepare and facilitate corporate budgets and also managed business budgets for company operations and properties. While attending Colorado Mesa University, I completed numerous financial courses covering a wide variety of topics from managerial finance to operations management. At Norris-Snell Real Estate, I manage large and small commercial and residential property transactions that all deal with a variety of financial issues.
Tammy Theis: Over 35 years of Rural Electric Cooperative and Rural Utility Services Experience including construction & maintenance of transmission & distribution power lines.
Decades of diverse background as an officer of elected governing boards & leadership throughout Colorado & Wyoming. Served as Vice President of International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers #111 over 5,000 Members for 16 years. And President for Western Colorado Trades & Labor over all Construction Trades & Labor for Western Colorado, 8 years.
Richard Harding: I worked for the Internal Revenue Service and then went into private practice preparing accounting documents and tax returns. I had accumulated enough college credits and professional experience to qualify to sit for the CPA Exam in 1977. A large part of my practice was representing individuals, groups and businesses in disputes with the IRS. I was the Financial Director for the first school in Colorado to address learning disabilities and one of the original partners of what is now a multi-national environmental testing equipment manufacturer. I owned and operated an Insurance Agency and worked on estate planning and health insurance. I completed the educational requirements to sit for the NASD Securities Dealer Exam, which I successfully passed. I prepared the feasibility study for the largest affordable housing project in Montrose County history and implemented the plan, which included creating a mortgage product to assist homeowners. I prepared a budgetary comparison of fifty counties in Colorado in preparation for the twin sales tax ballot questions in Montrose County in 2007. Spent three years consulting on a feasibility study for west end medical services, and was a subcontractor for the Economic Advisor Study for the west end of Montrose County.
Q. What unique ability or knowledge do you think you would bring to the DMEA board?
Kyle Martinez: Farming and business experience, in very diverse fields.
Mandy Norris-Snell: As a native of the area, a small business owner and previous right-of-way contract agent, I am constantly in touch with other people throughout the Montrose and Delta areas. I work hard at being approachable and maintaining a high standard in which I chose to do business. By bringing my past experience from Xcel Energy (the largest electric utility in the state) in Denver with my past Tri-State Generation and Transmission Association (the second largest electric utility in the state) right-of-way experience, I have a solid knowledge of the power business that I am eager to share. With both Xcel Energy and Tri-State I have developed valuable contacts at the executive and operational levels. As a Gen-Y Millennial, I understand the importance of networking and working in team environments. I believe that the greatest achievements come from individuals bringing ideas together.
Tammy Theis: I have over 35.5 years of Knowledge & experience of this rural electric cooperative. I know the operations of DMEA in Dispatch, Substations, Engineering, Warehouse, Line Work, Construction/Maintenance, Finance & Accounting, Metering & all things related to Customer Service.
Richard Harding: My combination of educational and practical experience would hopefully enhance the DMEA Board in providing the best possible delivery of products and services to the DMEA Members. With my primary focus being in the areas of economic development and affordable housing for the past 20 years, I would hope to offer balance to the Board in helping to achieve these objectives in the DMEA service territory. Having served as the Co-Chair of the Colorado Association of Resource Conservation and Development Councils and President of Painted Sky Resource Conservation and Development Council, I was a delegate to Washington D.C. to work on Federal Legislation involving USDA. I have worked closely with State elected officials and drafted the sixth piece of legislation signed into law by Governor John Hickenlooper, dealing with economic development.
Q. Please list your involvement in community organizations, or boards on which you currently serve or have served in the past.
Kyle Martinez: Volunteer Assistant Wrestling Coach @ Buena Vista High School, 2013-2014, Colorado Wrestling Officials Association, Wrestling Official Denver Area (2009-2012), Touch of Care Governing Body (2012-Present)
Mandy Norris-Snell: I currently am serving my 3rd year as a director on the Montrose Association of Realtors Board. I am also serving as a director on the Colorado Real Estate Network (CREN) board and I have served as a Planning Commissioner for the City of Montrose.
Tammy Theis: I have decades of non-profit business, education, governance, leadership & community involvement. I am known for my philanthropic skills & duties with organizations that are sustainable locally & statewide.
Richard Harding: Montrose County Republican Central Committee – District Captain over Olathe Precincts, Montrose Memorial Hospital Board of Trustees, American legion Post #24, Co-Chair Colorado Association of Resource Conservation and Development Councils, President Painted Sky RC &D, Montrose Committee For Funding Our Future, Montrose Model Aircraft Association – Life Member, House District 58 Blue Ribbon Panel on the Best Interest of the Child, RE-1J Montrose School District Accountability Committee, Montrose County Subdivision Regulation Revision Committee, Montrose Association of Realtors – Storm Water Drainage Committee, Sharon Shrine Temple – Sharon Temple Horse Patrol, St. John York Rite Bodies – Waco Scottish Rite Bodies, Tyler Masonic Lodge #1233, District Governor-Order Of DeMolay, Founding Board of Directors – Denver Academy, Board of Directors – Colorado Association For Aid To Battered Women, Co-Chair Community Adolescent Resource Extension Committee, C.A.R.E., RE-1J School Based health Clinic Advisory Board, Montrose County Homeless Teenage Task Force, CC4FF – Citizens Committee For Funding Our Future, TFC – Transportation Funding Committee, Montrose County Growth Impact Committee, Olathe Valley Lions Club, Friends of the Olathe Library, Olathe Outdoor Earth Science Environmental Laboratory.
Q. What do you think is the biggest challenge facing electric cooperatives nation wide?
Kyle Martinez: Wisely utilizing new technologies for distributed generation of energy, all the while, developing business strategies to keep the coop model relevant.
Mandy Norris-Snell: I think that the biggest challenge is keeping rates low while embracing innovative and new technologies. The power industry is changing very quickly and how cooperatives chose to adapt with the times is critical. New technologies can mean large investments up front but also greater long-term pay-offs. I think it is extremely important for electric cooperatives to investigate and consider new opportunities and to make sure that they meet the feasibility test before they are implemented.
Tammy Theis: Keeping our electric rates affordable through innovative research/development/
Richard Harding: I would state that I believe the biggest challenge facing electric cooperatives is finding a balance in both the regulatory and environmental arenas. Between the national agenda to eliminate coal burning power plants and the Colorado agenda to increase power produced from alternative sources, more resources are going to be required to achieve that balance.
Q. What do you think is the biggest challenge facing DMEA?
Kyle Martinez: Ability to increase generation of power locally while keeping rates affordable for consumers.
Mandy Norris-Snell: As an electric cooperative, DMEA must keep rates at a reasonable cost while ensuring adequate and reliable power to its members. Because roughly 70% of DMEA’s power is from wholesale power, we need to be diligent in our governance of Tri-State Generation & Transmission Association through our appointed Tri-State Director from the DMEA Board.
Tammy Theis: Continuing the Cooperative Goal through interagency utility, city, county& State regulatory statutes/legislation processes to provide our customers Safe reliable power.
Richard Harding: Ultimately biggest challenge facing DMEA is to remain competitive in the rates charged to members. This is a function of being able to adapt to whatever regulatory and environmental constraints are placed on the industry and at the same time being able to purchase electricity at competitive rates. Adverse rulings affecting electric service rates affect the core of the community in being able to attract new businesses, which drives residential relocation.
Q. What does the word cooperative mean to you?
Kyle Martinez: Individuals working with a common goal, specifically to effectively provide affordable energy to the members.
Mandy Norris-Snell: A cooperative is a member-owned and operated organization that benefits all members. All members have an equal interest in keeping the organization strong. To me, a cooperative is a collaborative group all working toward the same goal which is protecting the member-owner’s best interests.
Tammy Theis: The synergy of the past – present – future of basic energy source & end use. Common interests/needs through the DMEA association. A rural electric power company serving the region “We Energy & Serve our Communities.”
Richard Harding: The word “cooperative” comes from a Latin root meaning “worked together.” It differs from a traditional corporate model in that the owners are receiving a product or service in exchange for their membership. Where a corporate model would be governed by the ability of an individual to acquire multiple shares of stock and having multiple votes, in a cooperative the governance is based upon one member having one vote to determine how the organization operates.
Q. Do you agree with the cooperative business model? Why or why not?
Kyle Martinez: Yes, we are very fortunate to live in an area where our electricity is provided by a member owned coop.
Mandy Norris-Snell: I absolutely agree with the business model. Cooperatives do not make a profit as do other forms of electric companies, thereby keeping electric rates as low as possible. Being a cooperative also ensures the rate payers that they have a say in how the organization is run which creates a high level of transparency in the business operations.
Tammy Theis: Rural Electric Association (REA) was established in our Nation with a common goal to energize Rural America, now called Rural Utility Services (RUS). Technology & modernization has changed how the goal is achieved & delivered. Coops develop or should develop & continue the Electrification of Rural America.
Richard Harding: Having worked with several business models, I agree that the cooperative model suits the Rural Electric Association business structure. It is the ultimate democratic form of structure in that it places the members closest to its management.
Q. What do you think is the most important of the 7 cooperative principles and why?
Kyle Martinez: Community (7) Important to focus on member needs, taking member concerns & needs into consideration w/any and all decisions concerning the coop.
Mandy Norris-Snell: I think that all 7 principals are equally important. A cooperative must allow for each of the seven principals to occur in order for it to operate at its highest capability.
Tammy Theis: #6 Cooperation Among Cooperatives is the umbrella covering & strengthening the “coop” movement in the community/education/
Richard Harding: All 7 of the Cooperative Principles are equally important and not mutually exclusive. Personally, I believe the “Concern For Community” is the most important of the 7 Cooperative Principles. The policies adopted by the members and carried out by the Directors will determine the sustainability of the development of our community. These policies extend beyond the primary function of DMEA to include assisting with valuable economic development projects, providing scholarships, and providing financial assistance to other organizations.
Q. What do you feel is the primary function of DMEA?
Kyle Martinez: To provide electricity in a manner that is dependable affordable, and provides a safe and good working environment for those who work for the coop.
Mandy Norris-Snell: The core function of DMEA is to provide reliable and adequate power to all of its members at a reasonable cost. Along with this is the need for DMEA to distribute power in an environmentally friendly way and to collaborate with other organizations in the community and to further the well-being of the community.
Tammy Theis: Energize & Service our Customers Safely.
Richard Harding: The primary function of DMEA is to generate, purchase, and distribute electric power to its members.
Q. What is your vision for DMEA?
Kyle Martinez: To provide electricity at a low cost, while developing more local generation. Also, implementation of an affordable and effective broadband service.
Mandy Norris-Snell: My vision for DMEA is to keep common sense at the board of director’s table and to make fiscally responsible decisions to keep DMEA sustainable and affordable for its members for years into the future. It is also important to maximize the employees’ full potential by empowering them and providing them with the tools necessary to make DMEA a stronger organization.
Tammy Theis: Maintain our reliable core service of electric energy. Economically & Safely with efficiency/sustainability of customer services as needed. Continue R&D of renewable energy & technological advances from our customers.
Richard Harding: My vision for DMEA is for the cooperative to become the benchmark that other cooperatives strive to achieve. Utilizing the latest technology to provide member services to assist members in controlling their electrical usage so it is not wasted through improperly insulated homes and businesses. Expand the last mile internet capability by working with other like minded organizations so the cooperative service area has state of the art connectivity.
Q. How would you describe the roles and responsibilities of cooperative board members?
Kyle Martinez: Board members must work to serve the members of the cooperative, while providing reliable and affordable electricity.
Mandy Norris-Snell: The board members have a duty to protect the members by making sound decisions using the knowledge they collect while being a part of the board and by each bringing his/her own unique skill-set to the group. The board members should work well together and look out for the needs of the members. Board members should also reach out to the members and keep major information transparent and readily available to the public.
Tammy Theis: Work as a team to fiscally manage the DMEA resources for the Cooperative Members.
Richard Harding: I don’t think I could describe it any better than it is outlined in the Bylaws. Specifically in Article III, the board members “exercise all the powers of the cooperative except such as are by law, the articles of incorporation or these bylaws conferred upon or reserved to the members. Appoint the Chief Executive Officer, maker diligent effort to see that electric service is extended to persons within the cooperative service area and meet all reasonable requirements established by the cooperative as a condition of such service.”
Q. Is there anything about DMEA you would like to change? If yes, what and why?
Kyle Martinez: Continue to develop the coop to provide electricity at the lowest cost, while continuing to pursue other services that would only make the coop stronger and further meet the needs of the community.
Mandy Norris-Snell: I would like to improve employee morale and productivity while being fiscally responsible in all planning, construction and operational areas.
Tammy Theis: Restore customer service in all areas of our service territory. Continue innovative services & energy.
Richard Harding: There isn’t anything I would like to change other than who is sitting the District 2 seat.
DMEA’s ballots will be mailed on May 26, 2015. All mail-in ballots must be completed and returned by June 15, 2015 to Survey and Ballots Systems (SBS) in Eden Prairie, MN. DMEA has contracted with SBS to function as the co-op’s independent election manager. Members that choose not to vote by mail can vote in person at the DMEA Annual Meeting of Members on Wednesday June 17, Cedaredge Assembly of God Church, 1596 SW. 9th St.
Member registration and polls will open at 8:00 a.m. and close promptly at 9:00 a.m. with the start of the business meeting. All DMEA members are encouraged to attend the Annual Meeting in order to meet their director representatives, ask questions, and learn about the co-op’s activities over the past year. This year, the theme of the meeting is “Empowering Innovations,” and DMEA is focusing on the role technology plays for the co-op and its members. Complimentary coffee and pastries will be provided. All members in attendance will also have the opportunity to win a door prize. For more information about the annual meeting visit www.dmea.com<http://www.dmea.
DMEA is a rural electric distribution cooperative, located in Montrose, Colorado. DMEA was originally founded in 1938, as Delta-Montrose Rural Power Lines Association. The cooperative is governed by a board of directors, from nine districts covering three counties. DMEA serves approximately 32,000 residential, commercial and industrial meters, on more than 3,000 miles of cooperative-owned distribution lines.
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