(Left to right):
L. Paul Alvestad
Debra Ross
Nick Markovich
Peninsula Light Co. has 9 directors on its Board. Each year, 3 seats are up for election. This year, incumbents L. Paul Alvestad, Debra Ross, and Nick Markovich ran for reelection. Candidates selected by the Election Committee to run against them were Winston Hanson, Patrick McMonigle, and Joe Tellez. Any qualified candidate can apply for consideration by the Election Committee by submitting an application. Advertisements for accepting applications run in Lights and on our website. Candidates must live in PenLight’s service territory and meet other qualifying criteria.
PenLight convened its Annual Meeting via call-in audio conference at 5:30 p.m., on Monday, May 6, 2024. Minutes from the previous year were approved, a company update was reported by CEO Jafar Taghavi, and the Treasurer’s report was presented.
Out of 32,461 ballots that were mailed for the 2024 Annual Board Election, 4,227 total ballots were returned, yielding a participation rate of 13.02%. The 10% quorum of 3,246 ballots was therefore met, validating PenLight’s 2024 Board Election.
The ballots were tallied as follows: L. Paul Alvestad, 2,977; Debra Ross, 2,757; Nick Markovich, 2,447; Joe Tellez, 1,627; Patrick McMonigle, 1,325; Winston Hanson, 525. Therefore, Paul Alvestad, Debra Ross, and Nick Markovich have been reelected to PenLight’s Board of Directors for a term of 3 years.
At the Board meeting following the Annual meeting, the following officers would serve for the 2024 through 2025 term: Scott Junge, President; Debra Ross, Vice President; Marc Jorgenson, Treasurer; and Jim Smalley, Secretary.
PenLight is a member-owned electric cooperative located in Gig Harbor, Washington. Since 1925, the utility has been serving the Gig Harbor and Key peninsulas, and Fox Island in western Pierce County. The utility is the second-largest cooperative in the Northwest, serving about 35,000 meters with 1,006 miles of line and 112 square miles of service territory. The company also provides services to more than 3,200 water consumers.