Central District – Incumbent

J. Ingrid Kessler, DVM

OCCUPATION

• Retired Veterinarian and Business Owner
• Practiced Emergency and Critical Care Veterinary Medicine for 20 years
• Hospital co-owner for 13 years

EDUCATIONAL BACKGROUND

• Cornell University:  Bachelor of Arts degree, Classics
• Stanford University:  Graduate work, Classics
• Michigan State University:  Doctor of Veterinary Medicine
• National Rural Electric Cooperative Association: Credentialed Cooperative Director
• Director Gold Board Leadership Certificate, the highest training certification for Electric Cooperative Directors

CIVIC AND COMMUNITY ENGAGEMENT

• Current Central District Director, Lane Electric Cooperative
• Vice President, National Rural Electric Cooperative Association (NRECA), the national trade organization for over 900 rural electric cooperatives
• Director, National Rural Utilities Cooperative Finance Corporation, a lending institution to electric cooperatives
• Served on the statewide Oregon Rural Electric Cooperative Association Board
• Previous service on the boards of Greenhill Humane Society, Eugene Science Center, Kids FIRST, City Club of Eugene, and Lane County’s Multi-Disciplinary Task Force for Child Abuse Prevention
• Additional service partnering with Lane Community College, Rotary International, Eugene Chamber of Commerce, and Oregon Community Foundation

CANDIDATE STATEMENT

Safe.  Reliable.  Affordable.   Sustainable.

These aren’t just values at Lane Electric.   They are my own personal values as your incumbent Director.  I want to continue the service to our community I began over twenty years ago as a veterinarian and business owner, bringing management, HR, finance, policy, and operational skills to LEC. My work is guided by two priorities: affordable rates and reliable service.

We have so much to be proud of!   Our excellent Board, top-notch General Manager, and talented employees have outstanding safety and reliability records.  Despite rising costs and supply challenges, we have kept our rates as low as possible.  Importantly, we have protected and promoted our reliable, low-cost hydropower resources.  We’re excited to welcome our newest members with the expansion of our service territory.

Strengthening my capabilities and effectiveness here at home, I serve as Vice President of our national organization championing electric cooperatives  -- the first person from Oregon ever to hold that position.  On behalf of all of us, I work hard promoting responsible energy generation and tackling issues such as wildfire prevention, cybersecurity, AI, large loads and data centers, FEMA and all of the issues affecting our membership.

I have frequent conversations with local, statewide, and national decision-makers so that I can bring powerful solutions to the challenges facing our membership.  My focus is on keeping rates affordable and promoting our community.

I ask for your vote.  I have the experience, knowledge, and connections to be an effective leader.

Thank you.