The Chugach Electric Board voted unanimously at its June 20 meeting to appoint five community executives to a Blue Ribbon Panel. The board has tasked the group to review the utility's organization and operation and make recommendations for the future.

"We're listening to our members. They are telling us that our goal must be to deliver energy at the lowest possible cost. We agree and are taking action," said Board Chair Elizabeth Vazquez. "These panelists are long-time residents who have served in many capacities in our community. I know they will work diligently to make recommendations to us that will benefit Chugach's customers. Nothing but good things can be the result of these appointments."

The panel members are David Gottstein, President, Dynamic Capital Management; Robert Hickel, President, Hickel Investment Company; Loren Lounsbury, Former APUC and Commerce Commissioner; Richard Lowell, President, Ribelin Lowell & Co. Insurance Brokers (retired) and John Wanamaker, Vice President, Seattle-Northwest Securities.

Vazquez appointed Bill Noll as the facilitator. Noll was previously Alaska's Commissioner of Commerce, Community and Economic Development. He and Vazquez worked together to forward a slate of community executives to the board for approval.

"We are very pleased these experienced Alaskans have consented to serve on the panel," Noll said. "The panel will begin meeting in July and is striving to deliver a report to the board by October 1."

Chugach is the largest electric utility in Alaska, providing power for Alaskans throughout the Railbelt through retail, wholesale and economy energy sales.