Media contact: Chris Gleason, Community & Media Services, (253) 502-8222

The Tacoma Public Utility Board has selected William (Bill) Gaines to serve as the new director of Tacoma Public Utilities. The current Tacoma Power superintendent will replace Mark Crisson, who has led Tacoma Public Utilities for nearly 15 years. Gaines will begin his new duties on Nov. 1 when Crisson retires.

In his new role as the chief executive officer, Gaines will have responsibility for general management and administration of the organization, which includes Tacoma Power, Tacoma Water and Tacoma Rail.

“It is a high honor to be asked to lead an organization that has a reputation in the industry for innovation and sound decision making—reflecting its strong, stable leadership, high-quality management team and dedicated and capable workforce,” Gaines said. “I look forward to continuing that heritage, and guiding the organization into the future as we engage a number of new mandates and opportunities.”

Gaines joined Tacoma Power in October 2006, after serving at Seattle City Light as power supply and environmental affairs officer and as power management executive. He spent much of his career as an executive officer at Puget Sound Energy, where he served as vice president for engineering and contracting and as vice president for energy supply.

“We conducted a national search for candidates, but found the ideal one within our own organization,” said Bob Casey, Tacoma Public Utility Board chair. “Bill has admirably served as the superintendent of Tacoma Power. He brings an exceptional record of success and accomplishment and his experience and leadership skills will assure that Tacoma Public Utilities maintains its high level of reliability, innovation and service to its customers.”

The Tacoma native and graduate of Wilson High School holds a bachelor’s degree in electrical engineering from Washington State University and a master’s degree in business administration from the University of Puget Sound. He also attended the executive development program at Stanford University.

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Tacoma Public Utilities is one of the oldest and largest municipally owned utilities in the country. Its three divisions include Tacoma Power, Tacoma Water and Tacoma Rail. Its mission is to provide competitive, environmentally responsible electric, water and rail services through teamwork, technology and innovation to its customers in Tacoma and Pierce County.