Allegations of intimidation of Pedernales Electric Cooperative employees who spoke against racially insensitive comments made by a board director last year are being made by the company’s top leader.

John Hewa, PEC chief executive officer, said during a May 15 PEC board meeting he has “witnessed and personally been subject” to retaliation, which he claimed has also happened to employees and executives who spoke out against 2016 comments made by board director James Oakley. 

Hewa added that his service as CEO has “become almost impossible because of this situation” and he planned to provide the board with more detail.

Alyssa Clemsen-Roberts, vice president of communications and business services at PEC, said Hewa has not resigned and remains as CEO of the company. However, Clemsen-Roberts said PEC does not comment on personnel issues.

In November 2016, Oakley, who is a Burnet County Judge and a PEC board director, posted on Facebook “Time for a tree and a rope,” following the arrest of a black man who was suspected of killing a San Antonio police officer in the line of duty.

In January, Oakley was issued a warning by PEC board members and was stripped of his vice president position as a result of the comments, but was not removed from the dais, according to a report in the Daily Tribune in Marble Falls.

Earlier this month, a state judicial board publicly reprimanded Oakley for the comments and required him to complete a 30-hour education program, as well as sensitivity training.

Hewa said May 15 those who spoke up to support minority employees and object to the racially insensitive comments were “assured by this board, in resolution, that retaliation would not occur.”

“Unfortunately, this has not been the case, as far as the board of directors is concerned,” Hewa said.

But controversy swirled as Emily Pataki, PEC board president, interrupted Hewa’s comment May 15 and said the comments could put “the co-op in a liable condition.”

The move drew consternation from those in attendance, who felt the move was to censure Hewa.

During public comment May 15, PEC member Tom Mitchell said that for Pataki to “censor (Hewa) during the midst of his presentation is a travesty and outrageous.”

Mitchell also referenced Oakley’s reprimand and said that his “behavior is unconstitutional” and the board “allowed it to continue.”

“This board ought to be ashamed of itself,” Mitchell said. “Now I understand the rumors. I’ve heard the board of directors are lawyering up. I think you’d better.”

Marian Boyd offered Oakley “training” she gives to peace officers “on how not to racially profile a human,” during her public comment.

“When you hurt another person, you hurt the entire community, but most of all, you hurt yourself,” Boyd said. “That being said, we’re going to do everything to help you. Look at this mess you created.”

Amy Mohlberg was concerned the alleged actions “sounds like we’re going back to the PEC of the old days.”

“I hope the word gets out that the board is not trying to go back to the old days of secret behavior and not caring what some members think,” Mohlber said.