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Engage with your co-op. Every member has a voice.

2025 Board of Directors Election

Meet the
Candidates

Read the candidate bios and a full Q&A forum.

Vote Online
or By Mail

May 7 – June 3

Attend the
Annual Meeting

June 5 at 5:00 p.m at
Buttermilk Mountain Lodge

How to Vote
As a member of our cooperative, you have a voice and the right to vote for your Board of Directors. 
Members now have four different ways to vote:

By Mail

Mail back the paper ballot you receive in the mail.

Online

Vote online using the unique credentials emailed to you or printed on your mailed paper ballot.

Online in SmartHub

Vote by logging into your SmartHub account.

In-Person

Vote in person at our Annual Meeting.

Meet the Candidates

Northern District Candidates

All members—regardless of which district you live in—may vote for one candidate in the Northern District and one candidate in the Southern District.

The Northern District shall be defined as and include Townships 2 through 5 South, Ranges 87 and 88 West and Townships 2 through 6 South, Ranges 79 through 86 West, generally described as the Gypsum to Vail area. The Northern District shall be represented by four Directors.

The Southern District shall be defined as and include Townships 7 through 12 South, Ranges 82 through 87 West, lying easterly of the Eagle County/Garfield County line extended to the south, generally described as the Basalt to Aspen area. The Southern District shall be represented by two Directors.

The Western District shall be defined as and include Townships 6, 7, and 8 South, Ranges 90 through 96 West, generally described as the New Castle to Parachute area, and Townships 6 through 12 South, Ranges 87, 88 and 89 West, lying westerly of the Eagle County/Garfield County line extended to the south, generally described as the Glenwood Springs to Marble area. The Western District shall be represented by one Director.

NORTHERN DISTRICT CANDIDATE

Kimberly Schlaepfer

AVON, CO
Kimberly Schlaepfer's Bio

I am honored to be running for the Holy Cross Energy (HCE) Board of Directors. HCE is a valued partner in this community, aiming to serve its members through energy affordability and reliability. HCE plays a significant role in sustaining our local way of life by providing clean, affordable power, and through community-oriented programs geared toward making homes and businesses more energy efficient. It is my goal to build upon the legacy of service to the community that Holy Cross exemplifies. 

I’ve lived in the Eagle River Valley for 8 years and work as an energy and climate planner. I led the Eagle, Pitkin, and Garfield County region in aligning local governments and utilities on a vision and plan for decarbonizing local buildings; I collaborated with Eagle County communities in updating and aligning energy codes deliver more energy cost efficient new homes and buildings; and I’m currently leading the State Energy Code Board to develop sustainable building codes that will impact millions of Coloradans. 

My focus as a Board member will be to utilize my experience to ensure our electricity remains affordable and reliable as we achieve HCE’s goal of 100% renewable energy by 2030. I hope to exercise my skills to serve my community. I want to thank you for being an active member of our co-op and I’d be privileged to earn your vote. I look forward to working together in the future.

Additional Candidate Q&A

I want to serve as a Holy Cross Energy Board member because I want to put my skills, creativity, and expertise to work for our community to add to the legacy of service Holy Cross exemplifies. My three areas of focus as a board member will be:

1. Clean energy. Holy Cross has aggressive goals to reduce carbon emissions and a vision of carbon-free electricity by 2030 that they have made incredible strides towards achieving. I want to ensure Holy Cross Energy realizes its vision for a clean energy future while fostering the growth of cost-effective renewable energy in our local community, maximizing resilience and energy independence benefits of the clean energy transition.

2. Affordability. Affordability is a vital part of a clean energy future. In a community like ours, where affordability of everyday life can feel unattainable at times, it’s critical that basic needs, specifically, electricity, stay competitively priced.

3. Engagement. HCE is a member-owned cooperative, meaning the utility is not responsible to any investors, but to all of us, its owners. I want to foster stronger community connections to reach more co-op members, including but not limited to renters, younger members, and our Latino community to participate in programs and services Holy Cross offers to save members money, and engage co-op members in important discussions about how Holy Cross can continue to be a strong community partner into the future.

In the next five years, Holy Cross Energy (HCE) will face the challenge of balancing renewable energy, specifically, locally produced energy, with affordability of our electricity supply. The key opportunity for HCE will be to develop a community-led solution that enables local renewable generation and leads to the achievement of HCE’s goal of 100% renewable energy by 2030 while maintaining energy affordability for its members.

Local renewable energy offers several benefits, including increased resilience, energy independence, and lower electricity bills for system owners. It is widely integrated into homes, businesses, and government properties, with some areas requiring solar through building codes. However, there can be challenges from a utility perspective. Without storage systems, local renewable energy can cause oversupply during peak generation times, followed by undersupply at night when solar systems stop producing. This requires HCE to purchase expensive power from gas and coal plants to fill the gap, which can drive up rates. Moreover, small renewable energy systems are more costly for HCE compared to larger, utility-scale solar projects, which provide cheaper electricity rates than what customers receive through net-metering.

Within this challenge there is an opportunity for HCE to define a collaborative, community-led solution. By robustly engaging with members, HCE can understand the community’s values around local resilience, energy independence, and affordability, to develop an approach for locally sourced renewable power. This collaborative approach will allow HCE to meet its clean energy and affordability goals, ensuring the co-op remains a resilient and sustainable resource for its members.

My experience in energy systems, building codes, and working with diverse stakeholders will be a valuable asset to the Holy Cross Board. I am skilled in facilitating consensus among varied groups and believe that my ability to bring people together on challenging topics will be crucial as Holy Cross works toward its goal of 100% renewable energy by 2030. I am committed to leveraging my expertise in policy development and collaborative leadership to support Holy Cross Energy’s mission and contribute to its ongoing success.

I bring a decade of experience in the field of energy and sustainability, with expertise in building energy policy, climate action, and community engagement. Currently, as Managing Director at Lotus Engineering & Sustainability, I lead climate mitigation and resilience projects in Colorado and the Mountain West. This includes facilitating state-level building and climate policy development, updating local building codes to improve energy efficiency, and leading efforts to implement net-zero building codes across the Holy Cross Energy region. 

As a Northern District candidate, I’ve worked directly with the Towns of Vail, Avon, and Eagle, as well as Eagle County on energy policy development and implementation. I have proven facilitation and consensus-building skills, which I will use to work collaboratively with Board members and staff to support Holy Cross’s mission.

NORTHERN DISTRICT CANDIDATE

Edward Fuller

Gypsum, CO
Edward (Ed) Fuller's Bio

My experience, education and training provide me with a unique background very well suited to being a Holy Cross Energy (HCE) Co-op Board Member that listens to and champions your voice while continually striving for win-win solutions. I am an Air Force Veteran of 23+ years . I have a science degree and studied technical management and safety at Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University. I have extensive experience ranging from Federal and local government positions to private corporate operations and management in various technical and management areas. My experience includes program, project and contract management, master planning and execution, interpreting/developing statute rules, request for proposals development and source selection. I have applied experience in in risk and root-cause analysis/management, budget review and implementation, resource protection and management, conflict resolution, and new business development. Additionally, I successfully saved U.S taxpayers over $320 million through the identification and implementation of cost cutting measures while still maintaining/improving operational and mission integrity.

Additional Candidate Q&A

I’ve served for the good of the people in one capacity or another my entire life! I have a proven record of successfully improving quality of life for people and business through free enterprise and government. I will bring to the board, added depth of unique experiences, a mind-set of continuous improvement and open-mindedness combined with a win-win attitude. 

Forecasting and accommodating needs/growth while achieving a prudent and reasonable balance between corporate needs, the needs of our people, our natural resources and government.

My extensive experience, education and skills, specifically in strengths, weaknesses, opportunity and threats (SWOT) analysis, requirements identification, master planning development, budgetary review and update will improve HCE management through continuous improvement and avoid future potential issues while achieving the HCE vision and mission. This includes but is not limited to listening to the stakeholders of our HCE Co-op.

SOUTHERN DISTRICT CANDIDATE

Evalyn Gates

Snowmass, CO
Evalyn Gates' Bio

I’m a theoretical physicist, author and former museum director who began my trek through the world of science deep in the cosmos, studying the composition and evolution of the Universe. My most recent position took me in a very different direction – and offered me the chance to spend a day digging for mastodon bones not too far from where I live in the beautiful Capital Creek valley of Old Snowmass. I spent most of my physics career as a member of the research faculty at the University of Chicago, and for 2 years served as Assistant Director of the Kavli Institute for Cosmological Physics. My foray into the museum community began at the Adler Planetarium & Astronomy Museum in Chicago where I was Vice President for Science & Education. After publishing my first book, Einstein’s Telescope: The Hunt for Dark Matter and Dark Energy in the Universe (W.W. Norton 2009), I returned to the museum world as Executive Director & CEO of the Cleveland Museum of Natural History. I am currently on the Board of Trustees of the Aspen Center for Physics, and the Physics Policy Committee of the American Physical Society. My husband and I love living in Old Snowmass and spend as much time as possible exploring the trails and mountains around us. I remain passionate about inviting every curious mind on the planet to explore the natural world around us, from our own backyards to the most distant galaxies – and beyond.

Additional Candidate Q&A

Like many of us, I was raised to value the importance of being an active member of the community I live in – to seek opportunities to use my time, resources and expertise to benefit this incredible place and all of us who call it home. I’m hoping to use my background in science, climate change education and initiatives, and non-profit management to help guide the current and future direction of Holy Cross Energy as it continues to lead the transition to a clean energy future while remaining responsive to the needs of our community. 

This opportunity is especially important to me at a time when the urgency to address climate change is greater than ever – and the challenges we are facing are becoming more complex. Holy Cross Energy’s goal to reach 100% clean energy by 2030 is ambitious by most standards, but the progress to date and clear strategic plans for achieving this goal are impressive, and I am confident will be successful. 

We need to be bold in acting to decrease our use of fossil fuels as quickly as possible while at the same time strengthening our resilience against the impacts of a rapidly changing climate that are already hurting our community. And we need to do so in ways that listen and respond to the very real concerns of the members of HCE and their families.

The challenges facing Holy Cross Energy are not trivial. How can HCE best serve all of its members during a time of economic uncertainty for both individuals and our region, and given the likelihood of more extreme weather events that can interrupt service and add to the cost of operation? 

Fortunately, its history of proactive and community-focused efforts will help guide HCE through these challenges. As a co-op, Holy Cross Energy is already far ahead of for-profit utility companies in prioritizing the needs of its members, but it reaches new heights with its unique programs, partnerships, wide range of information, detailed strategic plan and customer support. The website is excellent, giving full access to all of the above. This transparency and member support is key to building trust – one of our most valuable resources as a community. Continuing to earn the trust of members as HCE works to navigate the hurdles in front of us will be key to continued progress. 

The main opportunity of the next five years is successful leadership to a clean energy future – this leadership is extremely important for our region and beyond. Local and state efforts to address climate change are going to be even more important for the next several years, and success stories from organizations like HCE can serve to inspire and guide other energy providers – a critical step in making progress on larger scales.

My experience in non-profit leadership and background in science would add to the strength of the board. I understand the importance of responsible board oversight of a non-profit – ensuring the overall financial health, management and strategic direction of the organization in order to enable it to fulfill its core mission and serve its community. As the head of the museum I worked to build a strong and financially secure foundation that allowed us to expand our efforts to invite people of all ages and backgrounds to dive into the adventure of science. 

I also have a deep commitment to addressing climate change. While my research focuses on the physics of the universe, from subatomic particles to the formation of galaxies, I’ve also studied the science of climate change, worked to increase energy efficiency in museum buildings and operations, and developed programs and exhibits for the general public. Soon after I arrived at the museum I challenged our staff to be creative and think big about how to engage the public in learning more about climate change, a topic that can be difficult for many people. 

How can we inspire action? As a result the museum built Ohio’s first certified passive house, the PNC Smarthome. It was successful beyond my wildest hopes, and its positive impact on local students, architects, and visitors (as well as the family who eventually bought and lived in the home) continues to ripple out today. 

My experience in these areas would strengthen HCE’s already impressive efforts.

SOUTHERN DISTRICT CANDIDATE

Robert Gardner

BASALT, CO
Robert Gardner's Bio

I have been on the Holy Cross Energy’s Board of Directors since 2012. I hope to continue to contribute my knowledge, experience and Institutional memory to a consumer driven organization that truly serves its consumer-members with a high quality, essential service while returning profits, over time, to their consumer-members. 

Thanks to the foresight, hard work and commitment of the Holy Cross Energy employees, staff, management and Board of Directors, Holy Cross is a leading electric cooperative utility in Colorado and in the nation.  Along with providing 99.9% electric service reliability, electric rates in the lower third of Colorado utilities, returning over $20 million in member equity to members in the last five years, Holy Cross has supplied its 61,500 consumer-members with an electric power supply made up of 75% clean power in 2024 on its way to 100% by 2030.

I am a lifelong resident of this region of Colorado, i attended school in Carbondale, Glenwood Springs and graduated from Colorado State University.  I raised my family here and spent most of my working career employed by Holy Cross. I have been involved with non-profits, community and public organizations in the Eagle River and Roaring Fork valleys.

I will continue to dedicate my experience, knowledge, institutional memory and understanding of Holy Cross’s consumer-members and service territory to cost competitive rates, reliability and reaching 100% clean energy.

Additional Candidate Q&A

I hope to continue working with the talented and committed Holy Cross employees, staff and Board of Directors to provide our 61,500 consumer-members with safe, reliable electric service at a reasonable cost with a power supply that is at or near 100% clean energy while providing consumer-members with conservation, efficiency and renewable energy programs.

I believe the main challenges include maintaining financial viability through competitive rates and fiscal management, continue to develop adequate and reliable distribution and transmission facilities, secure power supply resources that adequately serve consumer-members, manage all the intricacies around achieving a 100% clean power supply, awareness of consumer-members changing needs and expectations, addressing regulatory and legislative changes, continue to develop batteries and energy storage systems on Holy Cross’s system and on consumer-members properties and the planning and mitigation of the wildfire risk in our service territory.

A big opportunity offered by the ever-increasing clean energy content of the power supply is beneficial electrification offering a cost competitive way of reducing consumer-member’s carbon footprint for transportation, home heating and domestic water heating.

I have been a member of Holy Cross Energy’s Board of Directors since 2012.  Prior to that, I worked for Holy Cross for over 30 years in operations, administrative and management positions retiring in 2005.  My experience, knowledge, institutional memory and understanding of Holy Cross’s business operation, their consumer-members and the service territory will allow me to continue to contribute to the responsible transition to a clean energy future.

SOUTHERN DISTRICT CANDIDATE

Steven Martindale

CARBONDALE, CO
Steven Martindale's Bio

I am Steve Martindale, president and founder of a local financial services company, bringing 16 years of experience as a trusted wealth management advisor to the candidacy for the Holy Cross Energy Board of Directors. After a successful career at Merrill Lynch, I launched an independent firm to provide uncompromised service and innovative strategies to families and institutions. My approach is built on collaboration, crafting tailored solutions to secure future success. 

My expertise is grounded in a bachelor’s degree in Business Management and Accounting from Hope College and graduate studies at Northwestern University, sharpening my analytical and proactive approach to leadership. My commitment to teamwork extends beyond my professional life—thriving in the Roaring Fork Valley with my wife, Kyleigh, and our children, Reagan and Parker, where we hike, ski Aspen’s mountains, and enjoy community activities. 

I am a firm believer that a diverse board leverages individual strengths to drive success. My core competencies—listening, open-mindedness, and strategic thinking—align with Holy Cross Energy’s vision, ensuring transparency, accountability, and affordable, reliable energy for members. As member of our community and an active supporter in my kids’ pursuits, I bring the same passion and dedication to serving others that has defined my career. I am eager to contribute these skills to the board, fostering trust and delivering impactful outcomes for the Holy Cross Energy community.

Additional Candidate Q&A

I want to serve on the Holy Cross Energy Board because I’m committed to ensuring reliable, affordable, and sustainable energy for our members. Holly Cross Energy’s net zero goal is in-site. Innovation and cost should maintain a key area of focus. Prioritizing climate-resilient infrastructure and leading the renewable transition to safeguard against wildfires and extreme weather. Focused on stability today and a resilient future for all members.

Opportunities: Expand renewables (solar, wind), modernize grid with smart tech, develop storage, promote electrification (heating, transport), engage members (community solar, efficiency).

Challenges: Climate risks (weather, fires), balance costs-innovation, navigate regulations, manage peak demand

I am committed to helping ensure reliable, affordable, and sustainable energy for our members. My background as a business owner equips me with strategic thinking and teamwork skills to balance innovation with stability and support our cooperative’s long-term goals.

Board Districts

In 2025, we will hold an election for two seats.

One seat representing our Northern District, the general area east of Glenwood Canyon along the I-70 corridor to Vail Pass, including Gypsum, Eagle, Edwards, Avon, and Vail.

One seat representing our Southern District, the general area southeast of Carbondale along Highway 82 including El Jebel, Basalt, Snowmass, and Aspen.

The Northern District shall be defined as and include Townships 2 through 5 South, Ranges 87 and 88 West and Townships 2 through 6 South, Ranges 79 through 86 West, generally described as the Gypsum to Vail area. The Northern District shall be represented by four Directors.

The Southern District shall be defined as and include Townships 7 through 12 South, Ranges 82 through 87 West, lying easterly of the Eagle County/Garfield County line extended to the south, generally described as the Basalt to Aspen area. The Southern District shall be represented by two Directors.

The Western District shall be defined as and include Townships 6, 7, and 8 South, Ranges 90 through 96 West, generally described as the New Castle to Parachute area, and Townships 6 through 12 South, Ranges 87, 88 and 89 West, lying westerly of the Eagle County/Garfield County line extended to the south, generally described as the Glenwood Springs to Marble area. The Western District shall be represented by one Director.

How to run for a Board seat

Eligible candidates must have been a member of HCE for at least two years immediately prior to June 5, 2025, reside in the district in which they are seeking election, and have no conflict of interest.

It is important to review HCE’s Bylaws regarding directors (beginning on page 4) and the corporate policy regarding board matters.

  • Complete the Self Nomination Form.
  • HCE will then create a unique webpage for each candidate with an online petition for HCE members, who reside in your District, to sign in support of your nomination.

Within 5 business days, we will email you a Candidate Packet containing the following:

  • A link to your online petition page
  • A link to the candidate forum questionnaire
  • A background check authorization form
  • A self-certification for Board compliance form
  • A request for a 250-word bio
  • A request for a headshot

You can also pick up a hard copy of the Candidate Packet at our Glenwood Springs headquarters.

  • Email the provided link to other members living in your District and ask for their support by signing your petition.
  • Once you have collected your signatures, please notify us at communityrelations@holycross.com.
  • We will then verify that all of your collected signatures are from “members of record” to ensure you have 15 valid members’ signatures.

The following will need to be submitted on time for a candidate to be listed on the ballot.

  • 15 petition signatures must be submitted and verified
  • Signed authorization for a background check
  • Signed certification for Board compliance
  • Candidate questionnaire completed online
  • 250-word biography
  • Headshot

Board service overview

The HCE Bylaws, Article IV, Directors, Section 2 addresses director qualifications in detail. Please review the bylaws and, specifically, this section carefully. A director candidate must comply with many general qualifications/requirements, including:

  • You must be a member of HCE for at least two years prior to election as a director.
  • A director must permanently reside and use electric energy provided by HCE at a residence within the director district from which you are nominated.
  • Attend at least 10 of the 12 monthly meetings of directors within any 12-month period.
  • Once becoming a director, obtain a Credentialed Cooperative Director (CCD) designation within three years of becoming a director. The CCD program is a basic, five-day training/educational program for new directors, provided through our national trade organization. The CCD classes can be taken one day at a time or all five at once at locations within the United States.

Once you are elected as a director, you are expected to:

  • Attend 12 regular, monthly board meetings, usually scheduled on the third Wednesday of each month starting at 9 am. Meetings sometimes last six or more hours. Approximately eight of the meetings take place at the HCE Headquarters facility in Glenwood Springs, with four meetings, one each quarter, held at HCE’s Cooley Mesa facility near Gypsum. Over the past year, all 12 meetings have been held virtually; meetings will continue to be virtually as long as state/county mandates require.
  • Prior to each board meeting, directors receive an electronic board meeting packet containing a meeting agenda, financial reports, staff reports, and accompanying information. Directors are asked to prepare for each board meeting by reviewing the information contained in the packet.
  • Attend the annual meeting, usually held in June on a weekday starting around 5 pm. The location of the annual meeting alternates between the Eagle and Roaring Fork river valleys.
  • Participate in committee assignments. Committees usually meet once per month for three hours or so. Scheduling and location are up to the Committee chairman and have been held in Glenwood Springs, Gypsum, Avon, and virtually.
  • Directors have the opportunity to attend educational programs as well as State and National trade association meetings. Many of which are two to three days in length and require travel and lodging.
  • Directors also may wish to attend or participate in consumer/member-related meetings and events within HCE’s service territory.

Being a board member of an organization with annual revenues exceeding $135 million, employing over 170 employees, and providing an essential service to nearly 60,000 locations with over 3,000 miles of electric line is a significant responsibility involving:

  • A fiduciary duty to act in good faith, exercise care, and act in the best interest of HCE.
  • Setting the organization’s mission and purpose, engaging in strategic planning, selecting and supervising the chief executive officer, selecting a corporate attorney, and overseeing an annual financial audit.
  • Reviewing, monitoring, and reporting to the membership regarding critical operating and financial performance.
  • Providing oversight, adopting policies, monitoring compliance with legal and regulatory requirements, and ensuring adequate internal controls.
  • Acting in a professional manner and exercising confidentiality.
  • Developing as a director through educational and training opportunities.

Each member of the Board of Directors receives compensation for their involvement with and time spent carrying out their duties as directors. Generally, the compensation is as follows:

  • A monthly fee of $1,000.
  • A fee for attending board meetings, committee meetings, the annual meeting, educational or training programs, etc. of $500 for each full day (more than four hours) and $250 for each partial day (four hours or less).
  • Reimbursement for mileage at the IRS rate for travel to and from board meetings, committee meetings, the annual meeting, educational/training programs, etc.
  • Reimbursement for registration fees, lodging, travel, meals, etc., for attending approved meetings and events.

If you are interested in running, please also take the time to review the full official Bylaws and Corporate Policy regarding the Board of Directors.

As a Holy Cross Energy member, your involvement is essential to the health of the co-op.

You have a voice and the right to vote for your Board of Directors.

Directors serve four-year terms and are elected by the entire Membership. The election schedule follows a four-year pattern to elect Directors from the following districts:

  • 2025: Northern District & Southern District
  • 2026: Northern District & Southern District
  • 2027: Northern District & Western District
  • 2028: Northern District only

Self-Nominations

The self-nomination period for the 2025 Board of Directors Election has now closed.

The next nomination period will be announced in early 2026.