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Experience valuable for LPEA board

I am the owner of Seasons Rotisserie & Grill, actively involved in the community, and as a business owner, I support local farmers and ranchers and back agriculture, sustainability and economics. I am officially running for the La Plata Electric Association board of directors – District 4.

LPEA is a business, and I know how to run a successful business. After a tragic fire in 2008, Seasons, under my direction, was restored to vitality. With planning and perspective, I was able to keep all 36 employees working and paid for a minimum of 90 days. I kept key staff members employed for the entire year during construction. All decisions made allowed Seasons to re-open the business on time and within budget.

Seasons currently employs a staff of 34 – including many who have been with the company since 1995, right after Seasons opened. Training and trust are my philosophies to holding on to good people.

LPEA is facing something of a transition or crisis of employment, as long-time employees are retiring or leaving, many due to evolving management or board policies. I also have extensive board experience, including nine years on the Business Improvement District board – the first woman ever appointed, and I served most recently as chairwoman. Additional board experience includes the Colorado Restaurant Association; Durango Wine Experience as co-founder and board president; plus involvement in numerous youth organizations, and support of the Blue Star Mothers.

I believe I have a unique perspective that will benefit all members of LPEA as I am a 20-year resident of La Plata County, live in the Animas Valley and own and operate a business in downtown Durango. As a wife, mother, grandmother, in addition to business owner, each and every decision I make looks to sustainability, as well as good business for the future.

All of this has prepared me to serve, and I hope you can support me as the best choice for the board position of director, District 4, for La Plata Electric Association.

Karen Barger

Durango



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