2023 Management Team
Jackie Flowers has served as the Director of Tacoma Public Utilities since 2018, bringing over 30 years of expertise in managing public utilities. Under her leadership, the utility has prioritized customer experience, employee engagement, and operational excellence, setting a high standard in the industry.
Jackie is active in industry trade associations, serving on the Steering Committee of the Large Public Power Council representing 27 of the largest publicly owned electric utilities in the United States, as Co-Chair of the American Public Power Association CEO Climate Change Taskforce, and as Chair of the Grid Forward Board of Directors. She is also active in the community, serving on the boards of the Tacoma-Pierce County Economic Development Board, the Tacoma-Pierce County Chamber, and the United Way of Pierce County.
Chris Robinson has served as General Manager/Superintendent of Tacoma Power since 2015. With 30 years of experience in the power industry, Chris started his career at the utility in 2001 after working in consulting.
As Power General Manager, Chris has focused on service leadership, a people-focused culture, and purposeful strategy to guide the utility through an evolving industry landscape. Chris is proud to serve the greater Tacoma community.
Chris also enjoys collaborating with industry peers across the Pacific Northwest to bring value to electric consumers in the entire region. To this end, Chris has and continues to actively serve on multiple industry boards and committees, including NW River Partners, Public Generating Pool, and the Pacific Northwest Utilities Conference Committee, and is currently the Chairman of the Public Power Council.
Scott Dewhirst was named superintendent and COO of Tacoma Water in 2017. Scott led the Water through the recent closure of its largest customer and the functional reorganization of Tacoma Water in 2020. With support, he also guided Water through the COVID-19 pandemic. Furthermore, Scott has testified before Congress to ensure cybersecurity for America’s drinking water systems, supported our Water System Plan update and its related 10-year plan, approved by the Washington State Department of Health, and supported water quality and compliance efforts for Pipeline 1 pressurization, PFAS, and lead and copper. He endorsed the creation of our Water Equity Committee and supported responsible management and financial stewardship, resulting in bond rating increases to Aa2 and AA+. He provided leadership through the full deployment of Water’s advanced meters. Scott currently serves as Chair of the Water Supply Forum and served as Chair of our utility’s United Way Campaign.
He has 17 years at Newport News Waterworks, including roles as the assistant director and the interim director. He holds degrees in civil and environmental engineering and was the chair of the Virginia Section of the American Water Works Association in 2016.
Dale King was named superintendent and COO of Tacoma Rail in 2008. Dale served previously as the director of rail services for Weyerhaeuser Co. and has also served with Burlington Northern Railroad. Dale is a certified member of the American Society of Transportation & Logistics, now a part of APICS.
LaTasha Wortham was appointed Tacoma Public Utilities’ Deputy Director of Customer Experience and External Affairs in October of 2023 after serving as Regional Relations Manager. She oversees customer experience, customer services, communications, and government and community relations supporting the TPU water, rail, and power utilities serving the City of Tacoma and many neighboring communities in Pierce and King Counties. A Tacoma native, LaTasha is an accomplished public relations and government professional with over 20 years of experience in non-profit, Congressional, State, and local government. She has a BA in Law and Diversity from Western Washington University.
Alex Yoon was named deputy director/chief administrative officer in May of 2023 to oversee the financial and operational administration of Tacoma Public Utilities including coordinating support for its power, water, and rail, and utilities. Alex has over 25 years of experience in financial and administrative services, including the Director of the Administrative Services division of the Seattle Public Library and the Chief Financial Officer of Public Health – Seattle and King County. Alex is a licensed Washington State CPA.
Jim Sant was named deputy director for Administration in 2012 through July of 2023. He is responsible for budgets and organizational performance, insurance and claims, records management, and financial oversight. He is also serving as interim deputy director for Public Affairs and Communications, a position that oversees community and government relations, market development, economic development, marketing communications, and community and media services. Jim’s experience includes more than 10 years at Puget Sound Energy, where he was the assistant treasurer and directed the utility’s financial planning and analysis, plus served as regional director of finance at Verizon Wireless. Jim has over 25 years of financial experience and is a member of the Washington Society of Certified Public Accountants.
Charleen Jacobs was appointed Executive Operations and Governance Manager in May of 2023 to manage the offices of the Director of Utilities and the Public Utility Board. Before that, she was executive assistant to the Director of Utilities. She began working at our utility in 2005 as executive assistant to the Power Superintendent. Before that, Charleen’s experience included service at the Pierce County Prosecuting Attorney’s Office, and she was also executive assistant to the mayor, council, and city manager at the City of Lakewood.