Linda Kaye Rogers Announces Candidacy for PEC Board District 6

Linda Kaye Rogers of Wimberley, TX announces her candidacy for the Pedernales Electric Cooperative Board of Directors for District 6.

Rogers was one of the first PEC members to call attention to board and management misdeeds and publicly call for reforms within the cooperative. “When I asked questions at the annual meetings, I couldn’t get answers,” explains Rogers. “This was a clear message that something was wrong. It was soon discovered just how wrong.”

Rogers has since continued her involvement with PEC by regularly attending board meetings, speaking publicly to the PEC board and management, and by meeting with PEC members to hear first-hand their needs and concerns. “I don’t know any candidate who has worked harder than Linda Kaye Rogers to understand the needs and concerns of the average PEC member,” says Dr. Sally Caldwell of Woodcreek. “She has her finger squarely on the pulse of the membership lifeline.”

Rogers, a professional with 30 years of experience, counts businesses, governments, universities, charities, hospitals and religious organizations among her extensive list of employers and clients. She has written policies, developed and managed initiatives for programs, and managed her own successful business. “I am skilled at helping both large businesses and small groups,” says Rogers “My varied experience will serve the cooperative well in its quest to once again call itself the best electric cooperative in the nation.”

At the time Rogers first got involved in the reform movement, the PEC management and board operated a closed system which allowed no democratic elections for board members and engaged in lavish spending and questionable business decisions. Thanks to the efforts of activists such as Rogers and some recently elected new board members, PEC has recently become one of the most open and transparent electric cooperatives in the nation. “Now that many of the key governance and bylaws issues are resolved, it is time to focus on the core business of providing progressive, reliable and affordable electricity to our members,” says Rogers. “I will maintain the current democratic policies of openness and transparency while diligently working towards re-establishing the PEC on sound financial footing.”

“The Navigant report recently released by PEC shows that the finances at PEC are not as rosy as previous management reported,” continues Roger. “It’s time for the board to buckle down, focus on essential business, and protect the members from the higher electrical rates which could result from previous mismanagement.”

PEC revealed at the March board meeting that the cooperative has lost approximately $1.5 million due to its contract to purchase power from the South Trent Wind Energy Farm. “This is the result of poor planning. Renewable and sustainable forms of energy must become a part of our energy resources. I recognize this transformation will not come without cost, but with proper planning, these costs can be minimized”, says Rogers. “As that technology becomes dependable and economical, I support an intelligent and responsible transition into the utilization of renewables. The board must not commit to emerging energy sources without first going through due diligence to determine their financial risk.” A dedicated conservationist, Rogers would help steer the cooperative toward a responsible, reliable, and cost-effective mix of renewable and traditional forms of energy.

Rogers could be running against incumbent Charles Tesar. Tesar, currently seated as an advisory director, announced his intention to run for the District 6 seat in February, yet has so far failed to turn in the necessary election forms. Tesar has been criticized by the membership for failing to honor his campaign promise to not accept any compensation from PEC. Instead, he invoiced the cooperative for over $23,000 in retainer and meetings fees in his first six months on the board, according to PEC records. “Given the current lack of trust that exists between the PEC membership and the Co-Op, due to past abuse by former management and board members,” said Rogers, “the membership deserves a Board comprised of elected Directors who will earn their trust through keeping their promises.”

International ratings agency Fitch recently downgraded PEC’s bond rating to ‘A+’ from ‘AA-‘ citing among many factors that the PEC board and management will continue to come under scrutiny from the membership and that a lengthy period of rebuilding trust will delay the cooperative’s efforts to reduce costs. “The Fitch rating is proof that a board that betrays the membership’s trust also negatively impacts the Co-Op’s bottom line,” explains Rogers. “Now, more than ever, we need trustworthy directors who can help rebuild PEC’s financial status.”