2024 Public Utility Board

John O’Loughlin, Chair 
Term: 2021-2025 

A lifelong resident of Tacoma, environmental chemist and engineer John O’Loughlin has over 30 years of experience working in the wastewater, surface water, and solid waste utilities in Tacoma. He retired in 2019 as the assistant director of the City of Tacoma’s Environmental Services Department. O’Loughlin also serves on the TAPCO Credit Union Supervisory Committee. He has a Bachelor of Science in Chemistry from the University of Washington, a professional engineering license from the State of Washington, and a Master of Business Administration from the University of Washington, Tacoma. 

William Bridges
Term: 2022-2027 

William Bridges is the staff coordinator and senior counsel for the Washington State Senate’s Law & Justice Committee. He previously worked for CenturyLink, the Pierce County Council, and the Bonneville Power Administration. Bridges attended the University of Washington and Gonzaga Law School and is a licensed attorney in Washington.

Elly Claus-McGahan
Term: 2023-2028 

Elly Claus-McGahan has been teaching and coaching K-12 math students in Tacoma for more than 20 years. While pursuing her career in mathematics education, she volunteered time to tutor, coach math teams, host math competitions, and lead the Washington State Middle School math Olympiad competition. She more recently turned her attention to climate change action and affordable housing, volunteering with the Sustainable Tacoma Commission, Tideflats Advisory Group, Citizens’ Climate Lobby – Tacoma, co-founding Climate Pierce County and building houses with Habitat for Humanity. She has a PhD in Mathematics from the University of Texas at Austin and a professional development certificate from George Washington University in the Development and Financing of Renewable Projects.

Anita Gallagher
Term: 2023-2026 

Anita Gallagher is the Government Relations Director for Pierce County. Prior to her current role, she operated her own government relations firm. Her other professional experience includes government relations roles for Lime, the City of Tacoma, and Tacoma Public Utilities. Gallagher holds a master’s degree in business administration from Colorado State University, a Bachelor of Arts degree in Sociology and Criminal Justice and a Bachelor of Arts degree in Political Science, both from Washington State University. 

She is the Past President of the Board of Directors for Downtown: On the Go and serves on the University of Washington-Tacoma School of Urban Studies Advisory Board. Gallagher is also an American Leadership Forum Class XXX fellow. 

Carlos M. Watson
Term: 2024-2029 

Carlos M. Watson is a realtor with Carlos Watson Real Estate in Tacoma. He is a member of the NAACP, Tacoma Black Collective, National Association of Realtors, Mocha Mentoring, Tacoma Urban League, Tacoma Cease Fire 253, and 100 Black Men organization. He attended Tacoma Community College and served as an avionics technician in the U.S. Navy.