SLVREC is managed by a board of seven directors:

District No.

Mike Rierson
719-754-2588

A San Luis Valley native with a farming and ranching heritage, Carol Lee Dugan earned her business degree from Adams State College. From 1974 to 1989, Carol Lee managed the Alpine Veterinary Hospital with her husband, Bob. Now, she helps raise cattle and works to improve our community.

In 1994 she became the director of the Carnegie Public Library and the South Fork Branch Library. As director, she obtained grants to renovate the main library in Monte Vista and to build a new library in South Fork. This year, she has secured grants for the addition of renewable energy to augment energy use and offset utility expenses for both library locations.

She has been active in several community organizations: Monte Vista Urban Renewal, Habitat Partnership Program, El Pomar Regional Council (board member), and various educational programs. Carol Lee and Bob believe in conservation and maintaining the quality of life for the Valley. In support of this belief, they placed the headquarters for their ranch in a conservation easement. Part of the ranch is located in Rio Grande County and a large portion is located in Saguache County.

Carol Lee has served on SLVREC's Board of Directors for 12 years. She has served a term as the board’s president and another as vice-president. Nine years ago, she completed board certification classes in which she studied economics, personnel management and utility-related laws. She actively pursues training to keep abreast of the energy business for betterment of the cooperative.

Cole Wakasugi’s grandfather settled in the Valley where he owned and operated Blanca Equipment, a tractor and implement dealership. Wakasugi’s have lived near Blanca ever since. Cole, who has a B.S. in Mechanical Engineering, manages Three S Ranch with his father, Rodger, and partners Jerry and Monty Smith. The ranch produces grain, potatoes and alfalfa.

Cole and his wife of 15 years, Kim, have two children Brisha and Bradley. Cole is a trustee for the town of Blanca and he serves as a volunteer for the Blanca fire department.

He currently serves on the Trinchera Irrigation Ditch board and the United Potato Growers of Colorado board. He believes these experiences will help him be an effective director for SLVREC. Additionally, as a Valley native, Cole believes he is an asset to the cooperative. He said, “I share the concerns of families and farmers in the Valley. I would like to help find solutions to the challenges we face.”

Ernie Ford, a fourth-generation San Luis Valley potato farmer, lives near Center where he raises certified seed potatoes, barley, hay and canola seed. He has two children, Victoria (7) and Craig (4).

Ernie went to college at California Polytechnic State University in San Luis Obispo. He obtained a bachelor of science with a major in soil science and a minor in agricultural business.
He serves on a number of boards. Currently, he holds a position on the Colorado Agricultural Commission, a governor-appointed position. Both his mother and father also served on this board. He is two years into his first five-year term on the U.S. Potato Board. He has also served on the Colorado Certified Potatoes Growers Association and the Colorado Potato Administrative Committee. Ernie was one of the founding members of Farm Fresh Direct in 1999.

Ernie said, “My degree in soil science helps me to better understand the soils here on our farm. But it is my minor in ag business that has proven to be most useful to the boards I serve on. This degree showed me how to think proposals through.”

Ernie, who has always been infatuated with electricity and power, believes energy plays a vital part in the farm industry.

Scott Wolfe’s family has deep roots in the San Luis Valley. He was born and raised near Center; although, he left the Valley to attend college and to work. He attended school at Western, Adams State and Northern Arizona University. He returned to the Valley in 1991.

Scott’s wife, Robin, is the middle school art teacher in Monte Vista. Son Carson and daughter Cali keep Scott and Robin on their toes. Scott’s daughters, Courtney and Lindsay attend college. Scott’s mother, Kathryn, has lived in the Sargent area for over 30 years.

Scott was elected to SLVREC’s board of directors in 2004. He has attended many work sessions and classes to learn more about the electric industry. He said, “My first four years on the board were very educational to say the least!”

Prior to being elected to SLVREC’s board, Scott served on the cooperative’s board feedback committee. Additionally, he served on the Farm Fresh board for one term and he has served on the Alamosa County Weed Board.

Eleanor Valdez is a native of the San Luis Valley. She and her husband, Virgil, operate a cow-calf ranch and farm in Conejos County.

Eleanor was appointed to complete the term of Conejos County director in 1995. In 1997, she was elected to continue serving as director. In June 2004, she was elected to serve as board president. For the past 2 ½ years, Eleanor has represented SLVREC on the board of Colorado Rural Electric Association in Denver.

Eleanor has been active in many community activities and presently is a member of the Conejos Hospital Auxiliary, Republican Central Committee, Cattlewoman’s Association and St. Joseph’s Catholic Church. “First and foremost,” Eleanor said, “my pride and joy is my family which has grown with the additions of our children getting married and their children, our wonderful 13 grandchildren.”

In June 2006, Rick Inman completed his 16th year as an SLVREC director. Rick and his wife Teri live west of Creede. Their two grown children live in northern Colorado.

Re1flecting back on his tenure as a director, he said, “I think we’ve come through some tough times; but, there are challenges still facing us.” He places water issues and electric rates at the top of the list. Even with several years of wholesale power rate increases, Inman still believes electricity is a good value. Inman said, “Our society has evolved. All of us use more electricity now than we did years ago. ETS has been a life saver for the cooperative and many of our members.”

Inman speaks from experience when he talks about ETS (electric thermal storage) heat. He volunteered his home as a test site for the heaters before the ETS was offered to members. The board wanted to make sure the program could live up to its promise. Inman believes it has exceeded expectations.

As a director, Inman said the two most difficult decisions he grappled with were the replacement of the cooperative’s CEO in 2000 and the decision to upgrade the cooperative’s building. Regarding the CEO, he believes the outcome of this difficult transition has been positive. Reflecting on the decision to improve the cooperative’s facility he said, “There were many serious problems with the old building. We did the right thing. We now have a good facility that will benefit members for years to come.”

Mike Rierson has served on SLVREC’s board of directors since January 1999. He currently serves as the board’s president. Prior to becoming a director, Mike served on the Board Feedback Committee for five years.

Mike and his wife Sarah have two children, Zoë (19) and Ross (15). The Riersons farm near Center.

In addition to serving on SLVREC’s board, Mike also represents SLVREC as a director of Colorado Rural Electric Association. He has served as board member and past president for Creede Repertory Theatre and as past president and current member of Center Kiwanis. He serves on the board for SLV Friends of NRA. Mike is actively involved with his community.

Mike said, “I have a strong commitment to learning as much as I can about the electric industry.” Twelve years ago he completed the National Credential Cooperative Director Program. He believes his commitment to keeping up with the industry along with his twelve years of experience as a board member have been helpful in dealing with the challenges that face the cooperative today.