2024 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.   

Flowers 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 and superintendent of Tacoma Power since 2015. With 30 years of experience in the power industry, he began his career at the utility in 2001 after working in consulting. 

As general manager, Robinson has emphasized service leadership, a people-focused culture, and purposeful strategy to guide the utility through an evolving industry landscape. Chris is committed to serving the greater Tacoma community through the utility’s mission of providing reliable and affordable electric service. 

He also collaborates with industry peers across the Pacific Northwest to bring value to electric consumers throughout the region. Robinson actively serves on multiple industry boards and committees, including NW RiverPartners, the Public Generating Pool, and the Pacific Northwest Utilities Conference Committee. He currently chairs the the Public Power Council. 

Heather Pennington was named interim superintendent of Tacoma Water following former Superintendent Scott Dewhirst’s departure in May 2024. She has been a drinking water professional over 30 years. She has served on numerous local, state, and national boards and committees within the water industry, including the American Water Works Association and the Washington Water Utility Council. Pennington is recognized for establishing many programs that have become best practices and industry-wide standards. 

Pennington previously served as the deputy superintendent and has held roles such as Water Resource Planning manager. Her work has consistently involved critical projects, including budget proposals and asset management. 

She holds degrees in environmental engineering and business. 

Alan Matheson was named superintendent and chief operating officer of Tacoma Rail in 2024. He spent 20 years with the utility, dedicating most of his professional career serving Rail customers and the community. He has held several leadership roles, including trainmaster, roadmaster and as an assistant superintendent. 

He served on the Pacific Region Board of the American Short Line and Regional Railroad Association from 2016 – 2023 and remains active in the national trade association. Before joining Tacoma Rail, Matheson was general manager for American Orient Express Rail Services where he oversaw maintenance and refurbishment of vintage luxury railcars operating in the U.S., Canada, and Mexico. 

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, Wortham 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. She 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. Yoon is a licensed Washington State Certified Public Accountant.

Laurie Hardie was named Director of Safety in 2019. She has 22 years of experience in the private industry that includes manufacturing, logistic operations and safety. Hardie previously worked for WestRock, Republic Services and FedEx. She holds a bachelor’s degree in aviation technology management and is a member of the American Society of Safety Professionals.

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, Jacobs’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.