OPALCO DIRECTOR ED MARBLE RETIRES; JIM LETT ELECTED BY BOARD TO FILL TERM
Ed Marble joined the OPALCO board for District 3 in April of 1986 when Tom Chamberlain retired and asked Ed to finish out his term. Now Ed has passed the same ball to Jim Lett, who will serve until the 2010 election. During his 23 years of service, Ed saw OPALCO through some big projects and changes – like the submarine cable across Rosario and the dawn of the fiber age. “It’s a satisfaction to me to know that OPALCO is strong and so well managed,” remarked Ed. “I have a deep personal feeling for the Co‐op and want to see it succeed and thrive.”
Ed’s retirement will free him up to follow some other interests – and, he felt, give someone else a chance to serve. “I knew that Jim Lett would be a valuable member of the board and am pleased that he has accepted the position.” Ed added, “I’ve always been most impressed with the quality of the people who I served with on the board and staff. I’ve enjoyed being a part of it and I wish the board and staff the best.”
Jim Lett and his wife Shanley have lived on Lopez Island since the early 1990’s. Jim says he is “committed to the careful conservation of our special island resources, to assure this quality environment for us and for future generations” and “is pleased to serve as an OPALCO Director.” Jim retired as Regional Vice President of a national property/casualty insurance company headquartered in Bellevue, Washington. A graduate of Oklahoma State University, Jim served in the U.S. Marine Corps Reserve and was active with many insurance industry societies and boards. Since retiring, Jim has been an active member of the Lopez community, participating in the Mentor Program of the Family Resource Center, past Chairman of the Board of Trustees of the Lopez Library, past Commodore of the Lopez Island Yacht Club, Commissioner of San Juan County Fire District #4 and business member of the San Juan County Salary Commission.
OPALCO is a member‐owned cooperative electrical utility serving more than 14,000 accounts on 20 islands in San Juan County. OPALCO provides electricity that is 97% greenhouse‐gas free and is predominately generated by hydro‐electric plants. OPALCO was founded in 1937 to bring electricity to rural islanders and is one of 900 electric co‐ops in the United States today.
