Locals react to death of MEA executive

Frontiersman.com

MAT-SU — Local leader Cheryll Heinze died Tuesday in a floatplane accident near Homer.

Matanuska Electric Association’s director of Human Resources and Public Affairs and a former state legislator, Heinze was an Anchorage resident and artist.

Below are some local reactions to the tragedy.

“Cheryll was an incredible woman and an absolute pleasure to work with. She so positively touched the lives of everyone here and we are all saddened and deeply shaken by her loss. She had a phrase for when times get tough. She would say, ‘Whatever is going on around us, we will do beauty and we will do excellence,’ and so that’s what we’re going to do.”

— Kevin Brown, MEA communications manager

“It’s going to be a terrible loss for MEA. She brought a spark and camaraderie. A current example: the groundbreaking ceremony (for the Eklutna power generation station) only last Tuesday was incredibly well done. At the board meeting Monday night, every single director complimented her and her team.”

— Janet Kincaid, MEA board member

“It’s sad of course. Just Monday night we were discussing insurance carrier and policy relative to private flying. She’s going to leave a big hole over there. Well, we’re going to keep moving toward our generation plant. That was the project that she just put her heart and soul into. She actually painted a life-sized image of one of these big generators (for) our groundbreaking. She really knocked herself out to get that groundbreaking ceremony going.”

— Larry Devilbiss,

MEA board member

“It’s definitely a tragedy to lose a member of the chamber family. She was a valued member and a great person for the city of Palmer. She did a lot of work and was a true asset to us through MEA. She will be greatly missed.”

— Ralph Renzi,

president Greater Palmer Chamber of Commerce

“It’s a big loss for our community. I think more than anything what I appreciated about knowing her the last few years was that she really seemed like a champion for women. She always seemed concerned about people’s success. When I was on the borough assembly, she was always encouraging, she always had a positive spin on any business we might have talked. She was a champion for women and seeing that she would help them be the most that they could be, or succeed.”

— Cindy Bettine,

ormer Mat-Su Borough assemblywoman

“Cheryl was a bright, shining light and it was an honor to serve with her. She brought passion and energy to her job every day and was an inspiration to all of those she served and served with. It has been exciting to see her continue to nurture her belief in energy infrastructure in Alaska long after her formal service to the state ended. It came as no surprise to me that during the unveiling of one the first major energy infrastructure projects Cheryl was working on. She melded her artistic talent with the project. That is what Cheryl did. She painted a brighter picture of Alaska for all those who were blessed to be around her.”

— State Sen. Lesil McGuire

“I had the pleasure of serving with her on the Resources Committee during her term in office and found her to be an engaged, informed and passionate legislator. She cared deeply about our state and focused her time in Juneau on a range of issues, including victim’s rights, anti-stalking measures, energy and the fisheries.”

— State Rep.

Mike Chenault

“I am devastated. She has changed the culture at MEA in a tremendous way. She has helped us in so many ways develop the MEA charitable foundation. I literally don’t know what we’re going to do without her. She lit up every room she came in. Two weeks ago at the groundbreaking ceremony, I don’t know that I have ever seen a public relations person as skilled as Cheryll. That was an amazing event. That’s what she brought across the board. She brought energy and care. We would have some times (where we were) looking at ways and couldn’t figure out how to help out, and she would come up with a creative idea and chase it down and we could multiply our help in so many ways. It’s a terrible, terrible loss.”

— David Dahms,

MEA Charitable Foundation chair

“It was with great sadness that I learned of the passing of longtime family friend Cheryll Heinze. Alaskans were fortunate to have had such an energetic and committed public servant. Her enthusiasm and great sense of humor always made you feel happier after spending time with her. Lynnette’s and my thoughts and prayers are with the Heinze family and our best wishes for a speedy recovery to those who were also aboard the floatplane.”

— Anchorage Mayor

Dan Sullivan

Compiled by Tim Rockey