The Pedernales Electric Cooperative will soon be searching for a new leader after the board of directors accepted the resignation of CEO John Hewa last week.
The move, on a 5-0 vote with directors Amy Akers and Kathryn Skanlon absent, comes roughly a week after Hewa levied allegations of intimidation that he said was directed at PEC employees and executives who publicly opposed racially insensitive comments made by a board director.
In a joint statement with the PEC board of directors, Hewa, who began serving as CEO in July 2013, chose to move back to his home state of Virginia with his family and “pursue new career opportunities.” Hewa said in the statement he was proud of PEC’s accomplishments over the four years he served as CEO.
“I’m a member and part owner of the company, and if this is true, this is my business ... I was assured this would not happen again and apparently it’s happening.” Christa Breimaker, PEC member
Tracy Golden, PEC’s current chief financial officer, will take over CEO duties until an interim CEO is selected.
“PEC is a remarkable organization with exceptionally talented employees. I wish the best for PEC in meeting its current challenges and the fast growth ahead for the Texas Hill Country,” Hewa said. “I have previously shared my concerns and hopes for PEC with the board of directors, and I’m confident that Board President Emily Pataki and the board will address each matter appropriately.”
“We wish John Hewa and his family the very best in his bright future and thank him for his service to the cooperative,” Pataki said.
However, the statement did not address what “concerns and hopes” Hewa shared with the board or how he hoped the board would address them.
Additionally, the statement also did not address any of the allegation claims made by Hewa during a May 16 board meeting.
Hewa alleged PEC executives and employees who publicly opposed racially charged comments made by director James Oakley in 2016 were targets of intimidation. Hewa did not go into detail regarding his allegations of intimidation. Hewa, who made the allegation during his CEO report May 16, was interrupted by PEC Board President Emily Pataki, who cited legal concerns.
PEC customers, however, hammered the PEC board during public comment May 25 regarding Hewa’s resignation.
Christa Breimaker said she was “dismayed” by the resignation of Hewa and pushed to discover which employees had been targeted by intimidation.
“I’m a member and part owner of the company, and if this is true, this is my business,” Breimaker said. “I was assured this would not happen again and apparently it’s happening.”
Mary Ann Raisner said during public comment she was horrified by the recent turn of events, and cited the progress she saw during Hewa’s tenure. Ann Matlock later added during her public comment she wanted to see a report on the retaliation allegations.
John Watson protested what he perceived were actions by the board and Oakley in making a hostile work environment that “made it impossible” for Hewa to continue.
“You have opted for James Oakley over John Hewa,” Watson said. “That’s a very poor bargain in this member’s estimation.”
Tom Mitchell said the board owes it to the PEC membership to explain what is happening. He felt PEC was trading “an experienced, compentent and well known CEO in the industry” for Oakley.
“Mrs. Pataki, this is the most sophomoric attempt at board oversight I’ve seen in the 50 years I’ve been in business,” Mitchell said. “Anyone on this board that’s complicit in allowing James Oakley to remain on the board should be ashamed of themselves.”
