Golden Valley Electric Association

Rick Schikora, director for District 3, serves as the board Treasurer. He is a certified public accountant and partner at the accounting firm of Warwick and Schikora, CPAs. Rick has lived in Alaska all his life and with his wife, Cheryl, has raised two daughters. He is a former board member of the Alaska Outdoor Council and a past chair for the Greater Fairbanks Chamber of Commerce, where he remains active on the Natural Resources Committee. Rick promotes hunting, fishing and outdoor activities and is a private pilot with more than 5,500 hours. Rick has served on GVEA's board since 1986, and served thirteen years as Chairman of the Board.

Bill Nordmark, director of District 7, was appointed to the Board in 1995 to fill a vacancy; he currently serves as Chairman of the Board. Bill lives in Healy and owns and operates Motel Nord Haven. He represents Golden Valley's members who reside along the Parks Highway from Nenana to Cantwell. The U.S. Air Force first brought Bill to the Denali Park area. After serving his country and attending college, he returned to Healy in 1966 with his wife, Patsy, to raise their three daughters. Bill was one of the original founders of the Tri-Valley Volunteer Fire Department where he served as chief and an EMT for 19 years.

Bill Digan, director for District 4, and currently serving as Secretary of the board, has been an electrician for over 40 years. Bill has lived in Fairbanks since 1976: he and his wife, Jane, have raised six children and have seven grandchildren. Bill served as director for GVEA's District 4 from 1985 to 1997 and was secretary of the board for those 12 years. Bill was re-elected to Golden Valley's Board in June 2003. Bill was elected to the board of the City of Fairbanks Federal Credit Union in 1997, and he is currently president of that board.

Dan Osborne, director for District 1, serves as Vice Chairman of the Board. He has recently retired from the University of Alaska's Geophysical Institute. Dan has resided in Fairbanks since 1967 and was elected to the Board in 1981. He and his wife, Rita, have one son. Dan, a retired rocket scientist, has researched thunderstorms in the Midwest and has stayed up all night to study the Aurora Borealis. Currently he is contributing his new found free time to various non-profit volunteering including operating the restored steam locomotive in Pioneer Park. In addition to climbing Denali, Dan has climbed many peaks and kayaked many rivers in Alaska.

Tom DeLong, director for District 2, was just elected in June 2005. Tom has lived in Fairbanks since moving here when he was 17 years old. He and his wife Ann have college and high school age daughters. Tom has worked in the fishing, mining and tourism industries. He has worked at ABR, Inc. Environmental Research & Services as the Office/Contracts Manager for the last 15 years. Tom has also owned and operated Tolovana Hot Springs, a remote natural hot springs, for the last 18 years. He is a past board member of the Alaska Green Star and The Alaska Wilderness and Tourism Association. Tom has coached outdoor and indoor youth soccer teams for the last 12 years. His primary outdoor activities are skate skiing, back country skiing, hiking, biking, boating, hunting and fishing. When the weather is good and the busy life slows down Tom enjoys flying his 1946 Taylorcraft.

Ward Merdes, director for District 4, was elected in June 2009. Born and raised in Fairbanks, he is an attorney with the law firm Merdes & Merdes, P.C. Ward and his wife, Lori, have a wonderful daughter, Monica; an amazing son and equally extraordinary daughter-in-law, Jeff and Shana; and a miraculous granddaughter, Layla. Inspired by the desire to create a better tomorrow for their children and their children's children, Ward and Lori founded SlowDownAlaska.org and MerdesKidsClub.org. Ward is very involved in the community. He is a board member and legal counsel to the Alaska Goldpanners. Ward has served on several boards including the Alaska Association for Justice (current), Fairbanks Parking Authority and Fairbanks Development Authority.