As of 2025, all CVEA directors have their Credentialed Cooperative Director certificate, or CCD, meaning that all eight board members took the time and initiative to complete five courses offered by the National Rural Electric Cooperative Association. These courses focus on basic governance, knowledge, and essential skills required to be effective on an electric cooperative board. The CCD prepares directors to fulfill their fiduciary duty as elected officials serving on behalf of the membership. It is quite an accomplishment to have a fully credentialed Board.

We want to congratulate Director Catherine Vereline, who completed her CCD in February 2025.

Congratulations also to Vice President Delaquito for recently earning her Board Leadership Certificate, or BLC, in early April. This certificate requires 10 additional credits related to key governance topics such as risk management, power supply, technology, and policy development.

President Rake completed his Director Gold Credential in August 2024. This credential exemplifies a determination and focus to stay at the forefront of the energy industry and be a leader in the vitality of your community. Additionally, we proudly recognize President Rake for his service as a member of the Northwest Public Power Association, or NWPPA, Board of Trustees. His leadership and dedication to the public power community have made a meaningful impact. Congratulations, Lon.

Finally, we want to recognize Director Hess for his exemplary commitment and dedication, as demonstrated by his perfect attendance at every board meeting over the past three years.

We are proud of our Board's collective achievements and thank them for their ongoing commitment to excellence.

To learn more about the CVEA Board of Directors, click the button below.

CEO Jaime Matthews delivered an informative presentation that highlighted key accomplishments from 2024 and outlined 2025 priorities aligned with the Cooperative's Strategic Plan, focusing on five primary goals:

1. Being the Employer of Choice
2. Building Financial Strength
3. Reducing Dependence on Diesel Fuel
4. Maintaining and Improving System Reliability
5. Advocating for Our Members

Matthews spoke about succession planning, workforce development, and recruitment strategies, which included playing the Co-op's newly produced recruitment video that highlights employee stories to showcase CVEA's internal culture. She addressed electric rates, shared comparisons with other Alaskan communities, and reviewed the ongoing five-year rate adjustment plan approved in 2023.

She provided an update on the CVEA-Alyeska Intertie Project, that will equate to fuel savings getting passed on to members, and emphasized reliability efforts, including updates on the Dayville Road and Duck Flats relocation projects, outage statistics, extensive right-of-way management work, and a myriad of system improvement projects. Matthews also highlighted CVEA's continued engagement in legislative advocacy, member communication, and community support efforts. Upcoming community engagement opportunities were communicated:

• CVEA Community Foundation Contribution Season—Opens July 1
• CVEA Member Tour—August 19 in Valdez
• Co-op Month Pick-Your-Own Pumpkin Patch
• Copper Basin—October 11
• Valdez—October 18

The Board of Adjustment acts as an appellate body when a consumer feels the Cooperative has violated its Tariff or has otherwise not accorded them fair and equitable treatment. The Board of Adjustment will hear complaints which have not been resolved by CVEA's written complaint procedure. Board of Adjustment members were elected by the membership at the 2025 annual meeting.

In April, CVEA won first place in the Northwest Public Power Association (NWPPA) Safety Award Contest in the 70,001-100,000 Hours of Exposure category. This is the Co-op's fourth first-place win since 2018.

NWPPA Safety Contest awards are based upon a review of each utility's safety contest form, the number of 2024 recordable injury/illness cases (the incident rate), and the lost work days (the severity rate) in 2024.

According to CEO Matthews, "Safety is a priority at CVEA, and it requires the commitment of our entire team. We want to make sure everyone goes home at night in the same or better condition than when they came to work in the morning. That is what makes winning this award a particularly special achievement."  

Summer is upon us and CVEA asks you to remember that wildfire prevention starts with all of us. Here are a few tips:

• Only build campfires in designated fire rings or pits; always fully extinguish fires with water until the ashes are cold to the touch
• When conditions are dry, windy and favorable for potential wildfires, avoid burning leaves or debris—instead, compost or use local yard waste services 
• To prevent potential wildfires, store flammable items safely—keep firewood, propane tanks and other flammable items away from structures
• Be prepared in the event of a wildfire; educate yourself and your family about fire safety and evacuation procedures—have emergency kits ready and stay informed about fire risks in our area