CEA 2025 Election Results

July 17, 2025

By Brian Kassof

The results of the 2025 Chugach Electric Association (CEA) board election were announced at the cooperative’s Annual Meeting on May 30. Members elected Katherine Jernstrom to a four-year term on the Board. Members also approved a change to CEA’s Bylaws that expands the period during which the annual meeting can be held.

10,715 of 89,473 eligible members voted, for a turnout of 11.98%--this is roughly in line with 2021 and 2022, but down from 2023 (15.7%) and 2024 (14.08%). The overwhelming majority of members participating in the election voted electronically—10,450 (97.5%), with 175 members voting by mail (1.6%) and 90 (0.8%) in person at the Annual Meeting. CEA members wishing to vote by mail need to request a paper ballot be sent to them.

Katherine Jernstrom defeated Bernie Smith and Aaric St Michel to win a seat on the board. Jernstrom received 6,548 votes (61.3%) to Smith’s 2,788 (26.1%) and St Michel’s 1,343 (12.6%). Jernstrom is a business owner and investor, and was a co-founder of the Launch Alaska business incubator. All seats on the CEA board are at-large and represent the entire membership. Incumbent Bettina Chastain opted not to run for reelection.

Katherine Jernstrom, from her CEA candidate profile

CEA members also voted to change the cooperative’s Bylaws to expand the window during which the annual meeting can be held. 82% of members voting supported the change. Previously, it had to be held between May 15 and June 15—under the new rule, it can be scheduled between April 15 and June 15. The meeting date is selected by the Board. According to the statement in CEA’s election pamphlet, the Board hopes that the added scheduling flexibility will result in greater member participation. The other three Railbelt cooperatives usually hold their annual meetings in late April/early May.

In 2026, CEA members will elect two directors, for the seats currently held by Sisi Cooper and Rachel Morse.