Meet the Candidates:
Benzie /Manistee /Wexford:
Valarie Handy (Incumbent)
Candidate
Director for Benzie /Manistee /Wexford
Term: 2028
I am a solutions-driven Economic Developer with a dedication to community service.
I am currently a board member with Cherryland Electric Cooperative. I am a member/investor with International Economic Development Council (IEDC), Michigan Economic Developer’s Association (MEDA), and Traverse Connect. I have volunteered with the Traverse City Young Professionals to varying degrees since the program’s inception (including time as Volunteer Committee Chair, and Program Chair). I also volunteer with the culinary programs NMC’s Extended Education Division offers and work as a Precinct Chair at an election poling station for the City of Traverse City.
I became very interested in the Cooperative model of business through the inaugural course of the Emerging Leaders program at Cherryland Electric Cooperative. Since then, I have engaged with other cooperatives and increased my knowledge base related to them. Cooperatives are people helping other people fulfill their common needs by choosing to work together. We invest our time and talents and bear the shared rewards as well as the risks involved in every decision we make as a Cooperative. I’m excited to be involved in providing an essential community service to the rural residents and businesses that make this region great.
As an Advanced Facilitative Leader (Michigan State University, 2014) I am adept at empathizing with many different perspectives, and facilitating productive conversations around complex economic and social issues. As a Certified Economic Developer (International Economic Developers Council, 2019) I understand the impact rural utility providers make on job creation, business growth, and sustainable community development. My career to date has been focused on rural economic development and has allowed me to create connections on the local, state, and national levels around a variety of financial and human powered resources.
As part of the election process, Cherryland’s Policy requests candidates to disclose any financial campaign contributors in order to best inform member voting.
At Large:
Dean Adams (Incumbent)
Candidate
Director At Large
Term: 2028
I am the Owner of Bay Area Contracting, Inc. since 2008, and the Owner of BAC Design Group, Inc. since 2012. These roles have provided me with extensive experience in construction and development, helping me build valuable leadership and management skills.
I currently serve on the boards of the Grand Traverse Bay YMCA and Cherryland Electric Cooperative, where I contribute to the growth and success of our local community.
I am running for re-election to Cherryland Electric Cooperative’s Board of Directors as a Director at Large because I am committed to ensuring the cooperative continues to provide safe, reliable, and affordable electrical service. Cherryland Electric’s rates are 12-22% lower than neighboring utilities, and it has an impressive reliability record with 99.989% service uptime. I’m also excited about the cooperative’s goal to deliver 100% carbon-free energy by 2030, 10 years ahead of Michigan’s target, and I’m eager to support this forward-thinking vision.
With over 20 years of experience in construction and development, I bring a unique perspective to the Board. I have worked closely with contractors, homeowners, and utility providers, recognizing the importance of maintaining strong relationships between utility providers and consumers. I’ve led teams through challenging times, driving cost-effective improvements while maintaining employee morale and minimizing disruptions.
My leadership roles on the local Home Builders Association and YMCA Board have sharpened my skills in management and community engagement. Additionally, I have earned credentials from the NRECA’s Credentialed Cooperative Director Program, which has deepened my understanding of rural electrical systems. I am confident my business expertise and leadership skills will help maintain Cherryland’s competitive rates, reliable service, and commitment to carbon-free energy by 2030.
As part of the election process, Cherryland’s Policy requests candidates to disclose any financial campaign contributors in order to best inform member voting.
Melinda Lautner (Incumbent)
Candidate
Director at Large
Term: 2028
My husband and I live on and own his family’s sixth generation family farm in Leelanau County, where our son raises cattle and grows grain and hay. I operate a seasonal farm market growing and harvesting the produce myself. Our young grandchildren help out and are learning valuable sustainability lessons, as well as good and honest business practices.
* Member Cedar/Maple City Lions club
* Solon Township Parks and Recreation
* Cedar Chamber of Commerce
* NRECA Credentialed Director
Our region and industry continue to grow and change. It is imperative to stay ahead of the growth and trends. I am proud to say that Cherryland is a well respected leader throughout the state and country.
Our balanced energy portfolio includes wind, solar, nuclear and coal. We are on track to be 100% carbon free by 2030! All while delivering energy to our members at a lower cost than all of our neighboring utilities. It wasn’t always that way. Our hard work paid off, but we are not done.
Forward planning, co-op Policy And budget are the main responsibilities of a director, and every action taken is with you, our valued member/owner in mind with serious careful consideration of the environment.
Being self-employed, I am able to dedicate my time to you. I am always available to listen to your thoughts, concerns, and input. I have continued education on disaster planning, financial decision making, energy efficiency and conservation, Risk oversight, generation, transmission, distribution and more.
For two decades, I took the lead to balance multimillion dollar budgets.
Like my business, sustainability and reliability to our members is absolutely necessary to succeed. I have the experience and energy to continue to work hard and bring new ideas to the table.
Safe, Reliable and Affordable electricity so you can live, work and enjoy beautiful northern Michigan.
As part of the election process, Cherryland’s Policy requests candidates to disclose any financial campaign contributors in order to best inform member voting.
James Dyer
Candidate
Director At Large
Term: 2028
I am currently serving as the Leelanau County Administrator, having previously worked as the Northport Village Manager. As a licensed attorney in Michigan, I have represented local governments in both Federal and State Courts across the state.
I am actively involved in various community organizations, including the Suttons Bay/Leelanau County Rotary Club, the Leelanau Prospectors Club, the Traverse City Economic Club, and Peninsula Housing, where I serve as a board member. Additionally, my role with the county includes participation in the Leelanau County Landbank and several other boards.
My goal in serving Cherryland Cooperative is to ensure the organization operates within budget constraints while maintaining its excellent record of reliability and customer service. I have firsthand experience with local electrical utilities from my time in Marshall, where local crews were readily available to respond to major storms. I want to bring that focus to the Cherryland Board, for the future benefit of our members.
Before moving to Leelanau County, I lived in Marshall for 35 years, a city in Calhoun County with a population of about 6,000. During that time, I served eight years on the City Council and nearly 20 years on the Planning Commission. My experience includes overseeing local sewer, water, and electrical utilities, reviewing utility reliability and cost of service studies, setting rates, approving the construction of distribution systems and substations, and implementing policies and ordinances related to utility operations. I also have extensive involvement in economic development and understand the critical role utilities play in business and housing development. I am eager to bring my extensive experience with the oversight of municipal utilities, my legal training, and experience as a non-profit board member to benefit Cherryland Cooperative and its members.
As part of the election process, Cherryland’s Policy requests candidates to disclose any financial campaign contributors in order to best inform member voting.
Brian Fenlon
Candidate
Director At Large
Term: 2028
I work as a production winemaker for Black Star Farms in Leelanau County. My job gives me valuable insight into the local agricultural economy, and understanding of the complex systems from crop growers to production and distribution of wines. Prior to winemaking I attended and graduated from the University Center in Traverse City with a Bachelor’s degree in Social Work.
Current Vice-Chair of Leelanau County Planning Commission
Leelanau Energy Member
Michigan Association of Planning Member
Having been born and raised in Leelanau County, My wife and I are now fortunate to have built our forever home here. I have a strong passion for public service instilled by my grandparents military and civil service. I believe that effective policy can have an immense positive impact on people’s lives. It is my priority to make decisions at the cooperative based on data, evidence and fiscal responsibility. The cooperative is an integral part of our community and has a record of reliability. However, we need board members who are open-minded and community driven, not with agendas that don’t serve our membership as a whole.
I have a record of fiscal responsibility as President of the Maplewood Hills Condo Association from 2015-2020. Under my leadership, we balanced the budget of a multimillion dollar condo complex encompassing 61 homes. As an appointee of the Leelanau County Planning Commission since 2023, I have studied the materials and documents to provide valued feedback resulting in my election to Vice Chair in 2025. My priorities for the cooperative’s future are data-driven and evidence-based improvements to the cooperative’s current affordability, energy independence, and continued reliability. As a Director of Cherryland Electric Cooperative I aim to be a voice of the working class in northern Michigan, ensuring reliable service, affordable electric bills, and a sustainable future for generations to come.
As part of the election process, Cherryland’s Policy requests candidates to disclose any financial campaign contributors in order to best inform member voting.
