Larry Landaker announced that he will seek re-election to the Board of Directors of Pedernales Electric Cooperative, District 6. His district serves most of Wimberley and parts of Blanco, Canyon Lake, New Braunfels, Driftwood, and San Marcos.
“I was elected as a reform candidate,” Landaker said, “and this board has distinguished itself with historic changes and major achievements. We restored public trust and respect for PEC by transitioning our leadership from an era of corruption and bad headlines to one of competence, transparency and member empowerment.”
Landaker was elected in 2009 and served two years as board president and one year as secretary-treasurer. While on the board, he has served on the audit, governance and energy committees.
Landaker noted that during his term, PEC returned an unprecedented $37 million in capital credits to members, assembled an industry-respected top management team, reduced operating and controllable costs, and attained a milestone goal of nearly 30% member equity as a percent of assets – a respectable industry benchmark.
The PEC Board also adopted by-laws reform and a member Bill of Rights which established open meetings, open records, fair elections, and term limits for board members. “These are permanent democratic rights passed by the board, ratified by the members and cannot be taken away,” Landaker stated. “The member Bill of Rights is a lasting legacy of this board.”
As a demonstration of the board’s confidence in transparency, all board meetings are streamed live on PEC’s new website, www.pec.coop. “Our new website and the use of social media tools, such as Facebook and Twitter, are second to none in the cooperative world. I’m pleased to have assisted with this important development for PEC - to better communicate with our members and employees through improved service.”
Landaker acknowledged that there is more work to do; reform is a continuing process.
“Among our top priorities is managing energy costs. We continue to provide relatively low cost electricity to our members. Over the last three years, we were able to moderately lower the rates we charge our members. I continue to support policies that meet and exceed our energy efficiency and renewable energy goals by 2020, as long as they are cost effective.”
Landaker says he is committed to the cooperative principles of democratic member control and support for the sustainable development of the communities PEC serves. He supports giving back to PEC communities through grants, scholarships and member assistance programs. “I am also determined to see that we maintain the highest level of customer care, reliability and safety that our members expect.”
Landaker is running to retain his District 6 seat; however, all PEC candidates run as “at large” candidates. Every PEC member may vote for one candidate in each district for 2012 – Districts 1, 6 and 7. PEC ballots will be mailed by May 9. Members may vote via mail or online through June 15, or in person at the PEC Annual Meeting on June 23.
