PEC elects Graf as VP, Akers secretary-treasurer

By Lew K. Cohn

Managing Editor

The Highlander

Pedernales Electric Cooperative now has a new vice president and secretary-treasurer for its Board of Directors after holding elections at Monday's (Feb. 20) regular board meeting.

Paul Graf, who was serving as the cooperative's secretary-treasurer, was elected vice president, while Amy SJ Akers was elected to succeed Graf in his position.

The need for the election came about when the board voted last month to remove District 5 director and Burnet County Judge James Oakley of his vice president title and issue him a warning as its response to a complaint filed by District 1 director Cristi Clement regarding a Facebook post Oakley had made last year that brought scrutiny to the PEC.

Board attorney Don Ballard conducted the secret-ballot election, handing out slips of paper to each of the directors and asking them to name the director they wanted to serve as vice president, which he said has been the traditional method the board has used to elect its officers.

When the slips were returned, Graf had received four votes, while Clements, District 4 director Jim Powers and District 2 director Kathy Scanlon each received a single vote.

Ballard then handed out separate slips to nominate a new secretary-treasurer. Akers received five votes, while Clements and Scanlon each received one vote. Powers had indicated he would not be willing to serve as secretary-treasurer prior to the vote. Oakley was not eligible to be elected to either position.