Jessica Matlock will make $285,000 annually, a bit more than current co-op CEO Mike Dreyspring, who earns $252,948, according to a news release.<\/p>\n
\u201cThis salary is in line with other cooperatives and public utilities, as well as the salary for retiring CEO Mike Dreyspring,\u201d said LPEA Board President Bob Lynch in the release.<\/p>\n
The co-op\u2019s board voted 10-2 to release Matlock\u2019s salary Wednesday. Board members Joe Lewandowski and Jack Turner were opposed.<\/p>\n
The Durango Herald<\/em> formally requested Matlock\u2019s salary and benefits in April. The co-op released Matlock\u2019s salary excluding benefits.<\/p>\n The board reviewed the Herald<\/em>\u2019s request in compliance with the co-op\u2019s policy on disclosing employee compensation.<\/p>\n Electrical co-ops are nonprofits and must report how much their CEOs earn to the federal government as part of tax filings. In 2017, Dreyspring earned $296,896 in salary and benefits.<\/p>\n Matlock is expected to start work at LPEA on July 22. She comes from Snohomish County Public Utility District No. 1 in Washington, the 12th largest utility in the U.S.<\/p>\n As assistant general manager for the Washington utility, she manages a staff of 170, overseeing customer and energy services, and external and government affairs. She also oversees the utility\u2019s efforts to develop and operate solar energy, energy efficiency and electrification of transportation programs.<\/p>\n