News

For immediate release: 9/10/09

Stillwater’s Kerns elected to GRDA leadership post

Vinita – Betty Kerns (Stillwater) has been elected by her peers on the Grand River Dam Authority (GRDA) Board of Directors to serve as board chair during the next year (Sept. ’09 – Sept. ‘10). GRDA is the wholesale electric supplier to Stillwater and has provided the city with power since 1987.
With her election, Kerns becomes only the second woman in GRDA history to serve as chair, and the first elected to a full term. Barbara Conner (Langley) served as chair for six months in 2003.

Appointed to a seven year term on the GRDA Board by Oklahoma Governor Brad Henry in October 2008, Kerns represents economic development interests, lake enthusiasts and property owners. Since her appointment she has also served as chair of the GRDA Assets Committee.

“The opportunity to serve on this board is important to me for a number of reasons,” said Kerns. “Living in Stillwater, which happens to be one of GRDA’s largest electricity customers, I see firsthand the benefits of Oklahoma public power. Meanwhile, serving on the GRDA Board gives me the chance to help guide and promote those benefits for all GRDA customers.”

Kerns has 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’ record of service speaks for itself,” said GRDA Chief Executive Officer Kevin Easley. “We look forward to her continued leadership as GRDA Chair in the year ahead. Her leadership will be beneficial in the many challenges and opportunities we have before us.”

The election took place at the GRDA Board’s September 9 meeting in Vinita. Kerns will succeed Brent LaGere (Chandler) in the chair post.

Headquartered in Vinita, GRDA is a self-supporting state agency, funded by the revenues from the sale of electricity instead of taxes. GRDA transmits and delivers electricity across its 24-county service area via a sophisticated energy delivery system that includes over 1,900 miles of transmission line. GRDA sells wholesale electricity to three customer classes: municipals, electric cooperatives, and industries.

Contact Information:

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Justin Alberty
918-256-5545 X 4418

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