In previous months in our monthly Ruralite subscription, we have highlighted employees who work for Kotzebue Electric Association, Inc. (KEA). This month we are highlighting Frank Sollecito, Facilities Maintenance Manager for the month of June 2026. Mr. Sollecito has worked for KEA for two years. He brings a lot of facility experience to KEA, previously working for the Northwest Arctic Borough School District in their Maintenance Department.
Frank was born and raised in Fishkill, New York. He remembers his 6th grade teacher, Mr. Safford, often talking about the Alaska pipeline and how one could go up to Alaska and get a job and it always stayed with him. It is interesting how sometimes in life you are shown the future in subtle ways.
When Frank was about 7 years old, he saw a motorcycle pass by. His thought was he wanted to learn how to fix it. Frank went on to graduate from Denver Automotive and Diesel College, with an associate's degree in occupational studies (diesel technology). From there on Frank would go to live, work, and volunteer in many places throughout the world.
What Frank likes most about working for Kotzebue Electric Association is the variety of jobs that need to be performed on a daily basis. There are so many aspects like diesel, wind, solar, environmental concerns, electrical lines, finance, regulation compliance, grants, human resources, to name a few. Ultimately, the entire power grid has to be operated, managed, and repaired, around the clock. Frank finds it amazing that all this is being performed locally.
Although challenging, Frank believes KEA is on the correct path to set new standards. The balance of cost, reliability, and environmental responsibility are essential. Ultimately, we serve the members of the cooperative. Our decisions must be based on what is in the best interest of the members.
What Frank likes most about living in Kotzebue is seeing the strong connection the Inuit people have with nature. To me, nature is the ultimate classroom, no matter how advanced technology becomes he sees meaningful parallels between the natural world, humanity, and the spirit. It has been a privilege for me to be able to serve for so many years in Kotzebue."
