LIHU‘E — Kaua‘i Island Utility Cooperative’s 2021 board of directors’ election deadline is this Saturday at noon, and there are three nominated candidates, all incumbents, on the ballot for the three available seats.
Ballots were mailed to all members near the end of February.
KIUC’s nominating committee selected David Iha, Janet Kass and Teofilo Phil Tacbian in January of 2021.
Iha attended Kaua‘i High School, Wheaton College in Illinois, and the University of Hawai‘i, and is a retired chancellor of Kaua‘i Community College, and executive administrator and secretary of the UH board of regents. Building communities was a priority for Iha when he was at KCC, and he said that continues to be a priority “as we empower our
members on the strides KIUC has made in renewable and reliable energy.”
“Our strategic plan continues to provide the vision that guides our growth with innovative energy solutions that are recognized by energy leaders nationally and within the state of Hawai‘i,” said Iha.
Iha also served on other community boards that include the Hawai‘i Community Foundation, Kaua‘i Visitors Bureau, Kaua‘i Economic Development Board, Lihu‘e Christian Church, Hawai‘i Conference of the United Church of Christ, and the American Council on Education. Iha was the founding board member of Kaua‘i Economic Development.
“It takes a great team to develop a great electric cooperative,” Iha said. “I will continue to work collaboratively with our community, our board members and our executive team. I ask for your continued support.”
Janet Kass, the second nominee, is the only woman on the board, and the youngest member of KIUC’s board.
“In the next few years, it would be great if some highly-qualified women and younger people ran for the board of directors,” Kass said.
Kass is a retired financial expert with over 20 years of experience at Ford Motor Company and 10 years of experience as the chief financial officer of Wolverine Power Cooperative in Michigan.
“I love the electric-utility industry and want to stay involved in it,” Kass said. “On KIUC’s board, I have the opportunity to contribute my expertise in that industry. All of the other directors are long-time Kaua‘i residents. They know Kaua‘i inside and out.”
Kass said the benefit that she brings to the board is her in-depth knowledge of not only the electric-utility industry but also her in-depth knowledge of the other electric co-ops across the county.
“Financial analysis is my expertise,” Kass said. “I examine all of KIUC’s major decisions from the financial perspective, asking highly-relevant questions. I also suggest alternative ways of doing things, since I know how many other electric cooperatives have tackled similar issues.”
The final board of director nominee is Teofilo “Phil” Tacbian, who was elected to the KIUC board in March of 2005.
“I saw the co-op grow from a heavy user of fossil fuels to now a heavy user of renewable energy,” Tacbian said. “We are working towards our goal of being 100% dependent on renewable energy.”
Tacbian said he served as board chair, treasurer, secretary, chair of the Government/Legislative Committee, and president of the KIUC Charitable Foundation. Prior to serving on the KIUC board, he served as chairman and commissioner of the State Land Use Commission, chairman and board member of the county Board of Water Supply, liaison to the late U.S. Sen. Daniel K. Akaka, president and director of the Kaua‘i County Public Improvement Corp., the developers of Princeville Water &Sewer System.
“I came on the KIUC board with a vision of stabilizing the rates and moving away from total dependence on fossil fuel, and this is being accomplished at this time,” Tacbian said.
Tacbian said KIUC is not only beneficial to Kaua‘i residents today, but to the future generations that will enjoy the true benefits of a more-reliable system and more stability in our rates.
“To this end, I pledge my commitment to KIUC, the board and our community,” Tacbian said.
There are three ways to vote. First, the ballot mailed to Kaua‘i residents in the envelope provided. Second, voting online at mrgvote.com by entering the access code printed on the reply envelope, and verify your identity. Finally, members can vote by phone by calling 877-778-5482, entering the access code printed on the reply envelope, and verifying identity.
For more info, see kiuc.coop.
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Stephanie Shinno, education, business, and community reporter can be reached at 245-0424 or sshinno@thegardenisland.com.
Was this an election or confirmation of existing members? Are there no candidates other than ongoing directors? Typical corporate boardroom shuffle. You have to ask why, with all the supposed innovative ideas, our power bills have actually gone up rather than down?