Umatilla Electric Cooperative’s service area is divided into seven districts. Members of each district elect a director to represent them for a three-year term. This year, elections are being held for Districts 5, 6 and 7. Ballots will be mailed to those district members who are qualified to vote. Results will be announced at UEC’s Annual Meeting on April 18, 2026.
District 7 includes the Hermiston area, from Airport Road on the south, Punkin Center Road on the north, Ott Road on the east and Quick Road on the west. Johnny Otis currently represents District 7.
John (Johnny) Otis
Johnny Otis is a Hermiston resident and has been a member of Umatilla Electric Cooperative for more than 50 years. A Stanfield High School graduate and U.S. Army veteran (1967–1969), he is a long-time member of the American Legion. Otis co-founded Two Paw Tracker, maintaining wilderness trails for the U.S. National Forest Service, and has served in leadership roles with Eastern Oregon Missions, Inland Northwest Musicians, and currently serves as vice president of Blue Mountain Insurance Professionals.
As District 7 Director, Otis treats the position as a serious duty—not a title. Board service regularly requires more than 40 hours per month, including monthly board meetings which can last four to eight hours. He believes members deserve directors who are informed, engaged, and willing to invest the time required to make sound decisions.
“I am continually impressed by what our staff accomplish,” Otis said. “We’re building new substations and infrastructure to meet growing demand, reinvesting in existing systems to maintain safety and reliability for long-time members—all while keeping UEC’s rates among the lowest in the nation.”
Otis has voluntarily earned the Credentialed Cooperative Director, Board Leadership, and Director Gold credentials through the National Rural Electric Cooperative Association, the highest level of education offered.
“I take the responsibility of serving District 7 very seriously,” Otis said. “In exchange for your trust and your vote, I am committed to putting in the time and dedication needed to serve you and our cooperative to the best of my ability.”
Candidate biographies are provided by the candidates, and may not necessarily reflect the views of Umatilla Electric Cooperative.