Statewide Meeting for Vice Chair

January 28, 2026: Nominations

Call to Order & Quorum Verification

• Dario Turnquest called the meeting to order at 3:00 p.m.
• Quorum requirement: 58 licensed vendors (50% + 1 of 114 eligible).
• Final count: 70 total participants, including 9 BEP staff.
• Quorum achieved.

Meeting Purpose

• Fill the vacant Vice Chair position (vacancy created when previous Vice Chair ascended to Chair).
• Review rules for nominations and voting:
• Referenced bylaws, policy manual, and Robert’s Rules of Order (12th edition).
• Clarified quorum definitions and voting eligibility.

Nominations
The floor was opened for nominations.

Nominated Candidates

• Kurt Ponchak
• Nominated by Jose Quintanilla
• Accepted nomination
• Phil Hubbard
• Nominated by Kash Ahmed
• Accepted nomination

No further nominations were offered.
Nominations closed.

Q and A with Candidates

Adjournment

January 29, 2026: Election of Vice Chair

Call to Order & Opening Remarks: Dario Turnquest

• Called the meeting to order at 2:00 PM.
• Reminded participants that only those present may vote.
• Reviewed bylaws, emphasizing:
• Secret ballot required
• No proxy or absentee voting
• Votes counted only from attending vendors
• Noted that the new Vice Chair will assume office immediately after the meeting.

Roll Call (Alphabetical): Dario Turnquest

• Conducted roll call alphabetically.
• Confirmed each vendor verbally (present/not present).
• Multiple reminders issued due to delay from unmuting and screen reader audio.

Attendance Summary:

• 71 vendors confirmed present and eligible to receive ballots.
• 83 total participants were on the call (includes BEP staff and agency personnel).

Election Results: Dario Turnquest

• Total Votes Cast: 78

• Candidate Results:
• Kurt Ponchak – 47 votes
• Phil Hubbard – 31 votes
• Vice Chair Elected: Kurt Ponchak

Kurt Ponchak

• Thanked members for their support.
• Expressed commitment to serve all vendors statewide.

Adjournment: Meeting adjourned at approximately 5:00 PM.