On Monday, June 21, Platte-Clay Electric Cooperative announced the results of its 2021 membership election and changes to its Board of Directors leadership.

Platte-Clay Electric is a democratically controlled, not-for-profit electric cooperative governed by nine directors elected by members of their respective districts to serve a three-year term. One seat per district is up for election each year.

This year, members had the option to vote electronically or by mail-in ballot. Co-op election participation increased by 20% from the previous year, with a total of 1,041 consumer-members participating in the election process.

Dennis Fulk was reelected in the West District, receiving 919 votes. Theresa Wren was reelected in the North District, receiving 892 votes. Kendall Davis was reelected in the South District, receiving 626 votes. Jim Stoufer received 326 votes. Fulk and Wren were unopposed in the election.

The only by-law amendment proposal on this year’s ballot passed with 95% of the vote. The proposal amends the cooperative’s by-laws to make it easier for members to vote in future elections by permanently allowing mail-in and online voting. It also allows for all votes to be counted toward the co-op’s annual meeting quorum and requires candidates to file in advance to ensure ballots are consistent.

Board President Debi Koechner stepped down from her position last week as she is moving out of state to be closer to family. Directors voted to elect Kendall Davis as the next Board President and Larry Leachman as Vice President.

“I’m honored to serve in the role as President for Platte-Clay’s Board of Directors,” said incoming PCEC Board President Kendall Davis. ‘I look forward to working with my fellow directors to continue building on the progress that has been made in recent years toward ensuring PCEC’s members have access to safe, reliable and affordable energy far into the future.”

Davis, who became an instructor at Metropolitan Community College after years of owning and operating his own welding business, has served on the Board of Directors since 1991 and previously completed the Certified Cooperative Director and Board Leadership programs through the National Rural Electric Cooperative Association.

KPGZ News - Brian Watts contributed to this story