For immediate release: 9/9/10
Change in leadership at September board
meeting
Chernicky to serve as GRDA Chairman
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Vinita –
David Chernicky
(Tulsa), a seven-year veteran of the Grand River Dam Authority Board of
Directors will serve as GRDA Chairman during the next 12 months. The change in
leadership took place during the September 8 meeting of the GRDA Board, in
Vinita.
Chernicky, who
had served as chair-elect since September 2009, takes over for outgoing GRDA
Chair Betty Kerns (Stillwater). Also during the September 8 meeting, Steve
Spears (Cushing) was elected to serve as chair-elect during the coming year.
"Chairman
Chernicky's financial knowledge and leadership will be very important to GRDA
as we prepare for significant bond issue this fall," said GRDA Chief
Executive Officer Kevin Easley. That bond issue will allow GRDA to complete
some needed expansion to its electric transmission system, while also
addressing other areas that will help the utility maintain its reputation as
Oklahoma's low-cost, reliable electricity supplier, added Easley.
Chernicky was
appointed to the GRDA Board by Oklahoma Governor Brad Henry in September 2003
and serves as the industrial and commercial customer representative. He also
sits on the Oklahoma Ordnance Works Authority Board of Trustees for the Mid
America Industrial Park. He is the president and chief executive officer of New
Dominion, LLC, an independent oil and gas exploration and production firm based
in Tulsa, Oklahoma. He previously served as GRDA Chairman in 2004-05.
Also appointed
by Governor Henry, Kerns began her board service in October 2008. She
represents economic development interests, lake enthusiasts and property
owners. Since her appointment she has served as chair of the GRDA Assets Committee.
She has also served as a member of the board of directors of Southwest Bancorp
and the Stillwater National Bank. Other areas of involvement have included
service as chair of CompSource Oklahoma Board of Managers; president of The
Foundation for Sheltered Workshop of Payne County; board of directors of the
Payne County CASA Association and board of trustees of Stillwater Medical
Center.
"Director
Kerns has been very involved during her time as chair," said Easley.
"The effort and time she has spent on GRDA issues leaves no doubt that she
is dedicated to moving this organization ahead."
Spears has been
a member of the GRDA Board since May 2000 and serves as an ex-officio director
and designee for the Municipal Electric Systems of Oklahoma (MESO) Executive
Director. He is the city manager/engineer for Cushing, Oklahoma, and previously served as
GRDA Chair in 2006-07.
“Director
Spears is our longest-tenured director, having served GRDA for over a decade
now," said Easley. "We're fortunate to have his experience in a key
leadership position during this important period for our organization.”
Headquartered
in Vinita, GRDA is funded by the revenues from the sale of electricity and
water. GRDA is governed by a seven-member board of directors comprised of
representatives from each GRDA customer class (municipals, electric
cooperatives and industrials) as well as the GRDA lakes area.
Grand River Dam Authority News
Release
Contact: Justin Alberty Corporate
Communications Director
Grand River Dam Authority - (918)
256 5545
jalberty@grda.com - www.grda.com