Garratt Tayler Joins Board of Directors

Deer Island, OR – January 20, 2021 – Garratt Tayler was sworn into office as a member of the Columbia River PUD Board of Directors on January 19. Tayler will serve as the Director of Subdivision 3, representing customers in Deer Island, St. Helens, and Yankton.

Tayler was elected in the November general election. He is a retired St. Helens High School teacher. He retired from his career as an attorney prior to beginning his career as an educator.

Tayler volunteered with a local 4-H Club for eight years and was the swine superintendent for three years. He and his wife Joan raise cattle, horses, dogs, and cats at their Yankton home. He has one adult daughter.

Tayler ran for a position on the Board because of the amount of growth he is seeing locally, and he wants to be involved in providing safe, reliable, cost-effective service.

Tayler takes over for Rob Mathers, who served as Director of Subdivision 3 from 2016-2020. Mathers did not seek re-election.

Carter Re-Elected

Also in the  November election, Jake Carter was re-elected to his seat as the Director of Subdivision 4. He was also sworn in during the January 19 Board Meeting.

Carter represents customers in St. Helens. He has served on the Board since 2013.

2021 Officers Elected

The Board elected officers for 2021 at its January 19 meeting. Craig Melton was elected to continue in his role as Board President. Debbie Reed was elected to continue in her role as Board Vice President.

Neal Sheppeard was elected to be Board Treasurer. Administration and Public Relations Manager Heidi Ralls was elected to be Board Secretary.