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For immediate release
February 24, 2023 at 9:07am
For more information, contact
Julie Hasquet, (907) 717-9619

Vacancy filled on Chugach Electric Board of Directors

Chugach Electric Association’s Board of Directors has appointed Bernie Smith to fill the interim vacancy on the Chugach board. Smith’s appointment comes after Director Erin Whitney resigned last month following her acceptance of a position with the U.S. Department of Energy. Smith was among 11 Chugach members who applied to fill the vacancy. All 11 applicants were interviewed by the Chugach board and the appointment was announced at the board’s Feb. 22 meeting.

“We were overwhelmed by both the number and the outstanding quality of candidates who applied to fill this vacancy,” said Chugach Board Chair Bettina Chastain. “We are looking forward to having Bernie fill this seat until our May election when our members will vote for the directors that they want to represent them on the board going forward.” 

Smith currently serves on the Chugach Bylaws Committee and is a member of Chugach’s Member Advisory Council. He has extensive experience on electric utility matters in Alaska.

There are three seats open on the Chugach Board of Directors in the upcoming May election. The two candidates with the most votes will serve four-year terms, and the candidate with the third most votes will serve the remaining two years of Whitney’s term. There are currently 12 individuals who have applied to run for the board seats in the upcoming election and more candidates may come forward as the deadline for members to run by petition is March 10. Smith did not submit an application to run for the board seats open in the May election. He will serve in the interim role until the annual election.