Board of Director Candidate
District 2
PO Box 711
Kenai, AK 99611
Email Crystal Schwartz Mckenney
Cell phone: (907) 598-0423
Board Experience
- Board member of Mission Committee at Grace Christian Church: 2004 to 2006
Work Experience
- 2018 to Present: Domestic Violence and Sexual Assault Advocate and Program Services Coordinator
- 2017 to 2018: Child Advocacy Center Child and Family Advocate
- 2016 to 2018: Supervised visitation coordinator for, and owner of, Family Contact Service contracting with Central Peninsula Hospital and at the Office of Children's Services contract
- 2014 to 2017: Owner and manager of Inkwells book shop
- 2005 to 2015: Full-time staff at Solid Rock Bible Camp
Main Goal
I grew up on the Central Peninsula and Solid Rock Bible Camp was my childhood home. I have raised my eight children here, owned local businesses, and advocated for adult and child survivors of abuse for many years. My inspiration to run for the board comes from working with energy-insecure people and understanding how rates affect families, including my own. As a community, we're responsible for ensuring that current and future generations can afford to stay, live and work here. Diversifying our energy systems is a critical path to resilience and savings for ratepayers.
This is a crucial turning point for us. The uncertainty about the affordability of Cook Inlet gas means we need to be proactive in finding the best, most practical solutions. With good leadership in our electric co-op, we can ensure those solutions are local and economic. Importing our energy will always leave us vulnerable.
People on the Peninsula are innovative and hardworking. If elected to the HEA board I will vote for practical projects that reinforce our energy economy utilizing our diverse local resources. It's my priority that we maintain our energy independence to create an affordable future with good local jobs for our young people.