Matanuska Electric Association Announces Kim Henkel as Chief Financial Officer

PALMER, Alaska — Matanuska Electric Association, Inc. (MEA) is pleased to announce the appointment of Kim Henkel, CPA, MBA, as its new Chief Financial Officer (CFO), effective January 2, 2026.

Henkel brings more than a decade of financial and strategic leadership within Alaska’s utility and energy industries. Since joining MEA in 2018, she has held several key leadership positions—including Senior Manager of Finance & Commercial, Senior Manager of Strategic Implementation, and Energy Supply Manager—where she led multimillion-dollar fuel and energy procurement programs, advanced data-driven financial planning, and oversaw cross-functional teams that strengthened organizational efficiency and long-term stability.

Prior to MEA, Henkel worked with ENSTAR Natural Gas Company and First National Bank Alaska, where she gained extensive experience in gas supply, regulatory compliance, budgeting, and financial analysis.

A Certified Public Accountant, Henkel holds a Master of Business Administration (MBA) with a concentration in Business Intelligence and Data Analytics, as well as bachelor’s degrees in accounting and finance from the University of Alaska Anchorage. She is also a graduate of the National Rural Electric Cooperative Association’s (NRECA) Management Internship Program and several other leadership development programs.

“I’m honored to be selected as MEA’s next Chief Financial Officer and look forward to continuing the financial excellence established during my predecessor’s tenure,” said Henkel. “The next five to ten years will be pivotal in defining Alaska’s energy future, and I believe thoughtful, purpose-driven leadership supported by data will be essential as we make strategic investments to meet our members’ growing needs.”

Henkel describes her leadership approach as “thoughtful and collaborative,” emphasizing the importance of leading by example and fostering teamwork across the cooperative.

MEA CEO Tony Izzo expressed confidence in Henkel’s appointment, stating, “Kim has demonstrated exceptional leadership and insight throughout her years at MEA. Her strong financial acumen, strategic mindset, and deep understanding of Alaska’s evolving energy landscape make her the right person to guide MEA’s financial strategy into the future.”

Henkel will succeed current CFO Matt Reisterer, who will transition to a new part-time role as Senior Advisor to the CEO to spend more time with family after 26 years with the co-op. Reisterer will work closely with Henkel through the end of 2025 to ensure a smooth transition.
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