Local community advocate Rachel Oropeza announced on March 4 that she is running for the Key West Utility Board, Seat C against Harrison Esquinaldo of Bertha Street in Key West.
“I want to be more involved on a city-wide level,” she said. “A seat on the Utility Board will give me that opportunity. Key West is my home, and the local utility is an institution that takes care of this city. Based on my past experiences on local boards, working in higher education, spending 20 years as a Rotarian and working within the Florida Legislature, I feel I have a wide range of experience to bring to the position.”
Oropeza is a fourth-generation Conch who runs the president’s office at the College of the Florida Keys. With a long history of work in the hospitality industry, she previously was catering director at the Marriott Beachside Hotel. She was also the chief legislative aide to then-State Rep. Debbie Horan.
She was the 100th president of the Rotary Club of Key West, past assistant governor for Rotary District 6990, and was twice named Rotarian of the Year. She has traveled to India, Haiti, Venezuela and Peru for Rotary humanitarian projects.
Oropeza served on the commissioning committee for the Coast Guard ship USS Lenah Sutcliffe Higbee. She is the past fundraising chair for Irreverent Warriors, volunteered for Cooking with Love and has been a mentor with Take Stock in Children. She is a founding board member for the Key West Symphony.
Oropeza was recently selected as a Samuel’s House Woman of Integrity & Men of Valor honoree.
“I have the knowledge and strong skill set to become a contributing part of the Utility Board,” she said. “I will work collectively with the board and staff to make informed decisions. I look forward to listening to your concerns and earning your vote.”
The Utility Board oversees operations of Keys Energy Services, the public power provider for customers from Key West to the Seven-Mile Bridge. The board meets twice a month and includes a seat from outside of Key West to represent customers in the Lower Keys.
Utility Board members receive an annual salary of $24,520 while on the board. The board chair receives an annual salary of $28,000. Each board member also receives full health insurance coverage while on the board, according to Keys Energy spokesman Julio Torrado.
