At Platte River Power Authority’s first board meeting of 2025, the board of directors elected Jeni Arndt, mayor of Fort Collins, to serve as the utility’s next board chair. The board also named Gary Hall, mayor of Estes Park, as vice chair. Their appointments took effect immediately following the utility’s board meeting Feb. 27.
“Jeni is a tireless advocate for the value of public power and understands the need for continued collaboration across all owner communities as we pursue this energy transition,” said Jason Frisbie, general manager and CEO of Platte River. “I look forward to her continued advocacy for Platte River and thoughtful leadership as the board chair.”
Arndt previously served as vice chair of the board and has dedicated her career to public service and local government. She is in her second term as the mayor of Fort Collins and has been on Platte River’s board since April 2021. She was formerly a member of the Colorado House of Representatives from the 53rd District, serving from January 2015 until she was sworn in as Fort Collins mayor in 2021.
"I’m honored that my colleagues selected me to lead Platte River’s Board during this critical time and I am confident in our ability to work together to achieve our goals while upholding the foundational pillars of the organization,” said Arndt. “I appreciate the value associated with this energy transition and will continue to support Platte River’s ability to deliver clean, reliable power that the families and businesses in our communities need and deserve."
Hall was elected to serve as mayor of Estes Park in April 2024. He spent 18 years with Estes Park Health where he joined the senior team in 2010 and served as chief information officer before retiring in September 2023. Hall has resided in Estes Park since 2003.
“I’m honored to move into this leadership role on the Platte River Board. It is exciting to help guide the energy future of our region,” says Hall. “I want all four owner communities to know that Platte River staff and this board will continue working on their behalf and making decisions that support their needs as we continue our trajectory toward a noncarbon energy future.”
Arndt and Hall were elected by the utility’s eight-person board of directors. Arndt will replace Kevin Gertig, director of Loveland Water and Power, who served as chair since 2024.
Gertig retired in February with a 49-year career in public service. Hall will take over Arndt’s previously held position as vice chair.
The board also welcomed Sharon Israel, who recently replaced Gertig as utilities director for the City of Loveland. Israel began her career in public service in 2000. Through the City of Loveland’s Knowledge Transfer program, Israel was able to work alongside Gertig and learn directly from him in the months leading up to his retirement.
“I would like to thank Kevin for his leadership and tireless support of Platte River throughout his dedicated career and wish him the best in his retirement,” added Frisbie. “He worked to build a foundation of support and advocacy for Platte River and I look forward to continuing to build on that with Sharon. We are excited to welcome her to the board and have her support as we continue to make progress on this energy transition.”
The board leadership elections preceded a 2024 year-in-review presentation by Platte River senior staff highlighting the organization’s operational, financial and strategic accomplishments. Themes of innovation, resilience and collaboration were consistent throughout the meeting.
The board agreed that Platte River, jointly owned by all four communities, is well positioned financially and operationally to continue leading the energy transition asked for by their citizens.
