Get to Know the Lane Electric Board of Directors
Elected in 2022, Kris Martes is a retired law enforcement officer with 29 years of service. Having been a Lane Electric member for many years, Kris wanted to support the community through a role on the board. Get to know Kris:
What do you see as the big issues impacting Lane Electric and/or the Row River area specifically?
Before joining the board, I didn’t fully appreciate how far out the utility industry looks in terms of planning. We’re not just looking a year or two out, we’re talking about priorities and needs for the next 30 years. Technology and power supply are important areas of long-term planning that we’re actively discussing. Wildfire mitigation and preparedness is also a priority that impacts the cooperative overall, but is of particular importance in the Row River area. It’s difficult geographically, and one of the more remote parts of Lane Electric’s service territory. It’s critical that we help foster preparedness, provide advanced notification of outages when possible and offer community support for those in need as we can.
You’ve been a member of the board for just more than a year. What has been your biggest learning?
The camaraderie and collaborative, community-based nature of the utility industry. It’s a special environment to be part of. There is a common interest in education and sharing information. We’re all interconnected and dependent upon each other as we work to power communities. It’s important, and I feel very fortunate to be representing Lane Electric members.
Is there anything you want to be sure members understand about the board?
We are members of the cooperative and, like everyone else, have a vested interest in the success of Lane Electric. That means providing oversight to ensure the co-op is fiscally responsible, advancing the reliability of the system and making it a place people want to work.
What are you looking forward to for the rest of 2023?
There are some technological advancements that I believe members will really appreciate, and I’m excited to support that effort. From a community standpoint, I’d like to see more conversations around conservation. We can all make a difference by doing our part in limiting our impact on future generations.
Board of Director FAQs
Lane Electric has seven board members, each elected to 3-year terms. Based on population, the Central District is the only area with three directors.
All directors are required to earn a Credentialed Cooperative Director Certificate through the National Rural Electric Cooperative Association within three years of being elected. The certificate is awarded upon completion of five courses: Director Duties and Liabilities, Understanding the Electric Business, Board Operations and Process, Strategic Planning and Financial Decision-Making.
