Meet the candidates
Affordability, transparency and reliability top concerns in co-op's first year flying solo
Ballots have hit local mailboxes once again for La Plata Electric Association’s annual Board of Directors election. This spring’s election is particularly notable in that it is the first since LPEA gained independence from its former wholesale supplier Tri-State Energy and Transmission on April 1.
“Our board elections are the most important ways members shape the future of their co-op,” LPEA CEO Chris Hansen said. “As we continue building on our recent energy transition, member participation is more important than ever. We encourage all eligible members to vote and join us at the annual meeting.”
This year, there are seven candidates running for four open seats – one in each of LPEA’s four districts: District 1, Archuleta County; District 2, south and west La Plata County; District 3, City of Durango; and District 4, north and east La Plata County. In all, there are 12 board members, with three seats in each district elected on a rotating basis for three-year terms.
Also this year, members will be asked to vote on an amendment to the co-op’s bylaws to set a “record date” that would define the date by which new members are eligible to vote in LPEA elections. The amendment is meant to align with how elections have been managed in the past and will give members a written reference for understanding voter eligibility, according to the ballot language.
This year in District 1 (Archuleta County), incumbent and current board president Nicole Pitcher will be running for re-election against James Lane, and the election in District 2 (south and west La Plata County) will not be taking place due to the fact that only one candidate, Greg Barber, is running.
In District 3 (City of Durango), newcomers Jenn Jenkins and Jodi Zuber are running to replace outgoing nine-year board member Rachel Landis. In District 4 (north and east La Plata County), incumbent David Luschen is running against John Purser.
Candidate statements from the two La Plata County races (District 3 and 4) follow:
District 3: Jenn Jenkins vs. Jodi Zuber
• Jenn Jenkins: A resident of Durango since 2013, Jenkins said she has more than 20 years of experience in the rural utility and clean energy sectors focusing on distributed energy – small-scale, localized power generation and storage like batteries and fuel cells – and helping rural areas navigate energy transitions. She has also advocated for policies at federal and state levels to help implement a nationwide move toward more renewable electricity.
“I am eager to contribute my expertise to secure an affordable and sustainable future power supply for all LPEA members,” she wrote.
Throughout her career, she has worked with rural communities around the country and launched several initiatives, including the Rural Energy Academy, which provides technical assistance on wind, solar, battery storage, etc.
“My expertise taught me that a diverse energy portfolio is required for grid stability, energy security and affordability,” she wrote. “I work with counties across the country that are facing similar technology shifts and record load growth, as our community is experiencing. My work involves all technologies, but the goal remains the same: to empower rural communities to decide for themselves if these technologies match their community’s values.”
Her goal as a board member is to honor the values of rural stakeholders, rather than exploiting differences, to keep electricity bills affordable and to responsibly advance innovation.
• Jodi Zuber: A lifelong Durango resident, Zuber said she and her family have owned and operated several businesses in Durango, which gives her firsthand knowledge of the challenges families and small businesses face.
Giving back to the community is also important to her, and she has volunteered for the La Plata County Clerk’s office helping with local elections and worked with Blue Star Moms on the Field of Flags memorial. She also participates in the Snowdown Follies and is also a member of the Elks Lodge, where sheserves on the Elks Scholarship Committee.
“Today, the cost of living continues to rise. Homes are expensive, and the bills that come with them keep increasing. That is one of the main reasons I am running,” she wrote. “Our electric cooperative should focus on keeping electricity reliable and as affordable as possible.”
Although not initially a fan of LPEA’s exit from Tri-State, Zuber told the Durango Herald that she has since changed her mind because it will allow LPEA flexibility in buying more cost-effective power. “It’s not a bad thing that we’re out, because now we have more flexibility,” Zuber said.
She supports a balanced energy mix, including renewable sources, but reliability and affordability come first. She also stressed the importance of transparency to LPEA members. “They deserve clear answers about decisions that affect their electric bills and their quality of life,” she wrote. “My goal is simple: keep electricity dependable, keep it affordable and always put the members first.”
District 4: David Luschen vs. John Purser
• David Luschen (incumbent): Luschen has been a member of the LPEA Board for three years, during which time he touts a 10% reduction in power purchasing costs, increased reliability and fire safety, and the opening of LPEA’s Sunnyside Community Solar project.
Before being elected in 2023, Luschen, a public power engineer with an MBA, worked for CPS Energy in San Antonio, Texas, the nation’s largest municipally owned electric and natural gas utility.
“It’s a complex time for LPEA and electric co-ops, and my 26-year career in electric utilities brings the necessary expertise to help LPEA continue to best serve its members,” he wrote, adding that affordability, reliability and safety are his top priorities.
He said he looks forward to developing more local energy opportunities, such as additional community and residential solar. As an example, he points to LPEA’s recent power purchase agreement with Vallecito Hydro.
In the future, he would also like to address LPEA’s transmission reliability, resiliency and safety by upgrading existing lines and/or building new ones through its new partnership with the Southwest Power Pool. “This is an opportunity to … improve the reliability of LPEA’s transmission grid, which was not possible under Tri-State,” he wrote.
Other goals include utilizing new technologies like drone line inspection and Al analysis.
“I look forward to continuing to bring my experience to the future of LPEA and supporting local energy control for predictable and affordable rates,” he wrote.
• John Purser: A 22-year resident of Durango, Purser moved to Durango in 2004 to work for Mercury Payment Systems as director of IT, helping the start-up grow to a $1.4-billion company in less than 10 years. He holds an economics degree with studies in environmental economics and securities markets and is a volunteer at Big Picture High School and active with the Citizens Climate Lobby.
This is Purser’s fourth run for the LPEA Board, having run in 2021, 2023 and 2024. This time Purser said he is concerned about transparency, particularly with the Tri-State exit, which he believes should have required a vote of co-op members. In addition, he objects to the board selling LPEA assets, including Fastrack Communications, without disclosing the sale price.
He said he sees the co-op taking on unnecessary debt, and that the decision to join the SPP could threaten affordability.
“Your electric cooperative is at a crossroads. A crossroads you as member/ owners were never allowed to vote on,” he wrote. “The board that got us here is asking you to trust them with what comes next.”
Purser said he has paid close attention to the co-op’s finances over the last five years and has been “concerned and dismayed” at what he’s seen.
“LPEA’s authorized debt stands at approximately $350 million ... roughly $9,000 per member,” he wrote. “We currently operate at a deficit of approximately $500,000 a month, or $10 a month per member.”
He said rates are being held flat this year by drawing down a reserve fund that will not last. “This is a failure of fiduciary and fiscal responsibility,” he wrote. “I have no ties to any company, lobby group or special interest with a financial stake in LPEA’s decisions. My campaign is funded by members, not organizations.”
If elected, Purser said he will fight for transparency; respect co-op bylaws, policies and regulations; and select management for experience and skills, not political connections.
There are several ways for LPEA members to vote:
• Online through LPEA’s SmartHub portal using the “Vote Now” button
• By mail using the return envelope
• In person at the annual meeting Wed., May 20, at LPEA’s Durango headquarters.
Online ballots must be received by 12 noon, Tues., May 19, and mail-in ballots must be received by 4 p.m. May 19.
For more info., visit lpea.coop/elections.