Behind the Switch

E-Newsletter

May 14, 2026

Cover Photo: 2026 Valdez Annual Meeting

2026 Annual Meeting of Members Recap

2026 Annual Meeting Recap

The 2026 Annual Meeting of Members took place on Tuesday, May 5, in Valdez, and on Thursday, May 7, in Glennallen. The meetings were attended by approximately 560 people across both districts.


Attendees enjoyed delicious to-go meals from The Potato in Valdez and The Roadside Grill in Glennallen, along with welcome booths celebrating the 10-year anniversary of the Allison Creek Hydroelectric Plant, free member gifts, and the opportunity to support the CVEA Community Foundation through a Split-the-Pot Drawing.


Click the link below to read the full press release!

2026 Director Election Official Voting Results

Congratulations to Jan Maslen & Jeff Saxe

In the 2026 election, two director positions were up for election; one in the Copper Basin district and one in the Valdez district. The Copper Basin district re-elected Jan Maslen to a three-year term. The Valdez district re-elected Jeff Saxe to a three-year term. The voting results are as follows:


Copper Basin

  • Ballots Received: 290
  • Ballots Counted: 281
  • Jan Maslen: 281


Valdez

  • Ballots Received: 262
  • Ballots Counted: 245
  • Jeff Saxe: 245


CVEA welcomes all returning directors and appreciates the participation of everyone involved in the election.


Winners of the 2026 ballot drawing for a $100 energy credit were: Sharon Barnhill in Valdez and Jeanette Sutherland in the Copper Basin. Thanks to all who submitted valid ballots.

2025 Member Satisfaction Survey Results

3 Items Selected By Over 50% of Member Responses

In Spring 2025, CVEA asked its members to participate in a Member Satisfaction Survey. Three items were selected by over 50% of member responses as "Very Important" :


  • 89.5% said Reliable Electric Service
  • 81.9% said Reasonable Cost of Electricity
  • 58.8% said Excellent Customer Service from All Employees

CEO Presentation Recap

Presentation by CEO Matthews

CEO Jaime Matthews delivered an informative presentation at the Annual Meeting of Members based on the results of the 2025 Member Satisfaction Survey and the Cooperative's Strategic Plan, which focuses on these five primary goals:


  • Being the Employer of Choice
  • Building Financial Strength
  • Reducing Dependence on Diesel Fuel
  • Maintaining and Improving System Reliability
  • Advocating for Our Members


CEO Matthews highlighted major workforce transitions at CVEA, noting that 20% of employees are new this year and recognizing five retirements representing a combined 89 years of service. She also discussed CVEA's five-year rate increase plan, currently in year four, and how rates compare to other Alaska utilities during hydro-powered summer operations versus diesel-powered winter generation.


CEO Matthews also shared updates on the CVEA-Alyeska Intertie Project and several completed infrastructure projects in Valdez and the Copper Basin, noting the projects are expected to improve reliability and create future fuel savings for members. CEO Matthews additionally emphasized CVEA's continued focus on legislative advocacy, member communication, and proposed Tariff changes currently open for public comment through May 21, 2026.


2026 CVEA Community Foundation

Scholarship Award Winners

Congratulations to All Scholarship Winners!

Copper Basin

  • Timothy Somers - Idaho Youth Rally Leadership Camp
  • Ashley Hicks - $2,000 Continuing Education
  • Reese Noble - $2,000 General Education
  • Kayla Abbott - $1,000 General Education
  • Monica Bryan - $1,000 General Education


Valdez

  • Ava Mitchell - Idaho Youth Rally Leadership Camp
  • Scott McCumby - $2,000 Continuing Education
  • Erik Vincent - $2,000 General Education
  • Austin Morgan (not pictured) - $1,000 General Education
  • Hailey Major - $1,000 General Education

Employee Service Recognition

2026 Employee Milestones

CVEA proudly recognized the following employees for their years of service at the 2026 Annual Meeting of Members:

  • Cindy Butherus - Operations Admin - 25 Years
  • Zena Disney - Power Generation Admin - 20 Years
  • Steve Williams - Power Generation Manager - 5 Years
  • Justin Moncrief - Journeyman Lineman - 5 Years

Beater Vehicle Winners

CVEA Members Win Big

All members who registered for the CVEA Annual Meeting of Members by 6 p.m. received a $10 energy credit on their May bill and were entered to win 75 door prizes donated by CVEA vendors and purchased by CVEA at local businesses in both districts.


Our grand prize winners took home "beater" vehicles, which were retired after 15+ years of service with CVEA's fleet. Congratulations to Dale Mitchell in Valdez, who took home a 2011 Ford Expedition, and to Stan & Michelle Peterson in Glennallen, who took home a 2009 Chevy Silverado.

Board of Adjustment

New Members Elected

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 2026 Annual Meeting of Members.


Elected to a two-year term - Valdez

  • Julie Roetman
  • Jennifer Granquist
  • Lydia Rountree


Elected to a two-year term - Copper Basin

  • Glenda Sinyon
  • Eileen Ewan
  • Nelly Ewan
  • Roselyn Neeley - One Year Alternate

CVEA June Board Meeting

All CVEA Members Welcome to Attend

CVEA members are welcome to join us for our June Board Meeting on Thursday, June 18, 2026, at 10 a.m. in the Glennallen boardroom. There will not be a May Board Meeting.


The June Board Meeting agenda will be loaded to the CVEA website seven (7) days prior to the meeting.


Questions? Contact Sara Horvath at shorvath@cvea.org or 907-822-3211.

CVEA Employee Spotlight

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Maddie Vrzalik

Maddie joined the CVEA team in March 2024 as an Accountant. In her role, she oversees accounts payable, ensures the accurate and timely processing of payroll, and manages the organization's day-to-day accounting activities with great attention to detail. Her dedication and reliability help keep operations running smoothly and efficiently for both employees and vendors alike.


From Maddie:

I've called Alaska home for the past 10 years and have been fortunate to meet so many amazing people along the way, especially the people I work with here. I enjoy coming to work each day and doing my best to support both my team and our community.


When I'm not at work, you usually won't find me at home either. In the winter, we spend our time at Lake Louise ice fishing in our ice shack and out snow machining. During the warmer months, we enjoy riding the side-by-side, exploring, fishing, and hunting.


From Maddie's Supervisor, Finance Manager Lindsay Malone:

Maddie is an absolute pleasure to work with. You can always count on her to bring a positive, cheerful, and steady attitude to everything she does. She is consistently willing to step in and help wherever needed, making her a dependable and valued team member. Maddie has been a wonderful addition to our team, and I look forward to working with her for many years to come.

Refrigerator Maintenance


  • Lint and dirt should be cleaned from the refrigerator every six months to a year - and more often if you have pets 
    
  • When coils are coated with lint, dust, or pet hair, your refrigerator works harder than it's designed to, which can prevent the appliance from cooling properly and efficiently


  • The additional work can increase energy costs by as much as 35% and shorten the life of the appliance

Electrical Safety Month


  • Do not plug too many devices into a single outlet or power strip - this can overload the circuit, leading to overheating or fires


  • Install smoke detectors in your home and test them regularly


  • Regularly check electrical cords, plugs, and outlets for any signs of damage like fraying or exposed wires


  • Keep electrical appliances and devices away from water sources to avoid shocks and short circuits

Member Comments and Questions

Copper Valley Electric wants to know what members have to say, and our team is on hand to answer questions you may have.



If you have comments or questions on any CVEA topic, email Customer Service by clicking the link below.

Career Opportunities

Powering Homes, Empowering Lives

CVEA has excellent opportunities for qualified applicants. View current job opportunities posted on the CVEA website.

Important Dates

May 25 | CVEA Offices Closed for Memorial Day


May 27 | Copper Basin Office Closed 9 a.m. - 6 p.m. |

Valdez Office Closed 11:30 a.m. - 3:30 p.m.


June 15 | CVEA Community Foundation Nonprofit Contribution Season Applications Open


June 18 | 10:00 a.m. | CVEA June Board Meeting - Glennallen Boardroom


June 29 | CVEA Member Tour Registration Opens


July 28 | CVEA Member Tour

Copper Valley Electric Association | customerservice@cvea.org |

907-822-3211 | www.cvea.org

Mile 187 Glenn Highway, PO Box 45, Glennallen, AK 99588

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