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Oregon Rural Electric Cooperative Association
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June 2022
Volume 1, Issue 6
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ORECA Hosts Urban Legislator Field
Trip to Bonneville Dam
This month, ORECA toured Bonneville Dam with Senate Energy and Environment Chair Kate Lieber (D-Beaverton), and her legislative assistant Claire Prihoda. Other legislative staff included Katherine Morrison with Senator Kathleen Taylor (D-Milwaukie). The group met with specialists from the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers to discuss river operations, fish passage and navigation functions of the multi-purpose facility.
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NRECA Youth Tour 2022
After a two-year hiatus because of the pandemic, Oregon electric co-ops sent twelve high school juniors to Washington D.C. for NRECA’s Youth Tour. During the trip, students learned about the history of electric cooperatives, met with Oregon Congressman Cliff Bentz and Senator Ron Wyden, and took in the sites in our nation's capital. A big thanks to Central Electric’s Erica Sjoden and Umatilla Electric’s Amy Callan for chaperoning.
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Co-op Annual Meeting Round Up:
Coos Curry Electric Cooperative
Coos Curry Electric Cooperative (CCEC) held their 84th Annual Meeting of the Members on June 16, in Port Orford, OR. Brent Bischoff, CCEC's CEO, reported on the cooperative's 2021 activities and financial results, including a thorough review of the Beacon Broadband project. The membership provided enthusiastic feedback with a keen interest in the broadband project. At the meeting, Georgia Cockerham, Dan Loshbaugh, and Peter Radabaugh were reelected to the board.
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Oregon Co-ops Welcome Legislators and Candidates
This month, Oregon co-op leaders and boards hosted meetings with legislators and candidates. Central Electric welcomed State Senator and Republican leader Tim Knopp of Bend, while Wasco Electric held meetings with both candidates for Oregon Senate District 26 – current Republican State Rep. Daniel Bonham and Democrat Raz Mason.
Right: Tim Knopp addresses the Central Electric Board.
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ORECA Mid-Year Meeting: July 12-14 | |
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We're two weeks away from the ORECA Mid-Year Meeting: Politics and Policy in a Post-Pandemic World! We have an exciting and informative agenda which includes updates from NRECA Board President Chris Christensen and Oregon Gubernatorial Candidates Betsy Johnson and Christine Drazan. We look forward to seeing you in Bend! Contact ORECA for more information about the meeting.
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Wolfe, UEC Play Key Role at Eastern Oregon Economic Summit
On June 17, Umatilla Electric Director Bryan Wolfe served as master of ceremonies at the Eastern Oregon Economic Summit in Hermiston, including moderating a discussion with each of the three main gubernatorial candidates. UEC was a key sponsor of the event, which attracted legislators from all over the state for industry tours and panel discussions.
Right: Bryan Wolfe emcees the Eastern Oregon Economic Summit.
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Douglas Electric Welcomes Erika Sullivan
Congratulations to Erika Sullivan who recently joined Douglas Electric as Executive Assistant. Erika previously worked at the City of Puyallup. In her spare time, she enjoys hiking with her family and is currently learning to paddleboard. Welcome Erika!
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UEC’s Cole Bode Receives NRECA’s Management Internship Program Certificate
Cole Bode, Manager of Engineering at Umatilla Electric Cooperative, received his certificate for completing the National Rural Electric Cooperative Association’s (NRECA) Management Internship Program (MIP). “Cole is a key contributor to UEC’s success, and we are excited to see where he applies his learnings from NRECA’s program,” said Josh Lankford, UEC Vice President, Engineering and Operations.
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From left: Columbia Power linemen Garett Warner and Jack Jewell. "We kind of just look out for everybody out here because we're such a small co-op," Warner said. "We try to take care of the community, and when we see somebody that needs help, we just try to help them out."
PHOTO CREDIT: CONTRIBUTED PHOTO
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Columbia Power Linemen Save Woman From Water After Crash
On June 21, Columbia Power linemen Garrett Warner and Jack Jewell rescued a woman and her dog after her minivan crashed into Camas Creek on Highway 395 near the Grant/Umatilla County line. Arriving on the scene fifteen minutes after the accident to find a woman trapped in her vehicle, Warner and Jewel recognized the immediate need to get the driver out of the water before she was swept away by the strong current, or hypothermia set in. Columbia Power General Manager Lisa Atkin said she felt a sense of pride and admiration for her linemen. "Cooperatives are about community," she said.
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Meet Lane Electric's Susan
Knudsen Obermeyer
Born and raised in Oakridge, Lane Electric Board President Susan Knudsen Obermeyer joined the Board in December 2013. “There was a district meeting happening in Oakridge and I thought I should check it out. I went to my first board meeting and there were 5 other candidates, I knew them all and figured one of them would surely be selected,” recalled Knudsen Obermeyer. “I was contacted to interview on a very cold and icy day. After the interview, my husband and I were picking up a truckload of groceries for senior Christmas baskets, were just about to leave Eugene when Chris Seubert called and offered me the position. My first words were “Are you sure?” That was the beginning and can’t think of anything that I’d rather be doing.”
Knudsen Obermeyer also serves on the board of a non-profit forest collaborative, the Oakridge Pioneer Museum board, the Highway 58 Herald online newspaper board, and the State Forest Advisory committee. In her spare time, she likes to knit, and crotchet, but her biggest joy is being a grandma!
“I like to stay busy and engaged. Being on the different boards allows that,” said Knudsen Obermeyer. “It keeps my mind active, and I get to meet great people. I think I am living my best life!”
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Obermeyer brings 30 years of volunteering and board experience to the position. She served 12 years on the Oakridge School Board and held the position of Board Chair, coordinated and organized Oakridge’s Mini-Olympics, Outdoor School Program for students, and the Senior Citizen’s Christmas Basket effort in Oakridge. During her time with the Forest Service, Knudsen Obermeyer also served as Treasurer for the Forest Service Union. | |
Upcoming Events & ORECA Key Dates | |
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July 12-14
ORECA Mid-Year Meeting
Bend, OR
September 27-29
Regions 7 & 9 Meeting
Portland, OR
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October 13 - Tentative
ORECA Board Meeting
Salem, OR
November 29 - December 1
ORECA Annual Meeting
Salem, OR
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Oregon Rural Electric Cooperative Association
8565 SW Salish Lane Suite 130
Wilsonville, OR 97070
503-585-9988
www.oreca.org
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