Power Management Team
Chris Robinson, Power General Manager/Chief Operating Officer (COO)
Chris has served as the Tacoma Power General Manager/COO since 2015.
He brings over 25 years of experience to his role. Before joining Tacoma Power in 2001, Chris worked at multiple electrical utilities as a consultant. Prior to serving as superintendent, Chris served as Energy Resource Planning Assistant Manager then the Power Management Section Manager. He serves on multiple industry boards including Public Power Council, NW RiverPartners, and Pacific Northwest Utilities Conference Committee.
Chris obtained a B.A. in economics and a B.A. in political science from Rutgers University, and an M.S. in resource economics from the University of Maine.
Rachel Allen, Power Shared Services Manager
Rachel has served as the Power Shared Services (PSS) Section Manager since 2018.
She brings over 28 years of experience to her role. Before joining Tacoma Power in 2002, Rachel worked at Avista Utilities for 10 years in Generation, T&D, and Operations Engineering groups. Prior to this role, Rachel served in positions of increasing leadership across the Transmission & Distribution section. She is an executive sponsor of the Western Energy Institute (WEI) Women in Leadership Program.
Rachel obtained a B.S. in electrical engineering from Gonzaga University.
Tenzin Gyaltsen, Utility Technology Services Manager/CIO
Tenzin has served as the Utility Technology Services (UTS) Section Manager/CIO since 2019.
He brings over 25 years of experience to his role. Before joining Tacoma Power in 2011, Tenzin worked at the City of San Bruno in California as cable television director. Upon coming to Tacoma, Tenzin worked at Click! Network, a cable telecommunications enterprise of the City, as general manager until operational control of the cable system was transitioned to a private entity in 2020. He has served as an expert panelists for various conferences.
Tenzin obtained a B.S. in accounting from Metropolitan State University of Denver and an MBA from the University of Colorado – Denver.
Ying Hall, Rates Planning & Analysis Manager
Ying has served as the Rates, Planning, & Analysis (RPA) Section Manager since 2022.
She brings over 13 years of experience in the electric utility industry. Prior to this role, Ying served in positions of increasing leadership within the RPA section, including as the Energy Risk Management Manager and Business & Financial Services Manager.
She holds a Bachelor’s in Economics for University of California, Berkeley, and has completed doctorial coursework in economics at University of Washington.
Chris Mattson, Generation Manager
Chris has served as the Generation Section Manager since 2017.
He brings over 25 years of experience to his role. Chris joined Tacoma Power in 1995 as an engineering technician, and during his career has led upgrades on hydroelectric stations, dams, and fisheries, was a part of the overhaul of Tacoma Power’s largest hydro station, and led the Production Engineering team. He served on the Electric Energy Industrial Consortium’s Executive Committee for five years.
Chris obtained a B.S. in electrical engineering and an M.S. in electrical engineering from the University of Washington and maintains his Professional Engineer (PE) license.
Clay Norris, Power Management Manager
Clay has served as the Power Management (PM) Section Manager since 2015.
He brings over 35 years of experience to his role. Before joining Tacoma Power in 2015, Clay worked for Eugene Water and Electric Board, Northwest Energy Efficiency Alliance (NEEA), and ElectriCities of North Carolina in executive positions. He has served on several regional and national boards and executive committees, including the North American Energy Standards Board, SERC, the North Carolina Transmission Planning Collaborative, Public Generating Pool, Energy Northwest, and Public Power Council.
Clay obtained a B.A. in math and physics from Illinois College, a B.S. in electrical engineering from Missouri University of Science and Technology, and an MBA from the University of Illinois – Springfield.
Joseph Wilson, Transmission and Distribution Manager
Joe has served as the Transmission & Distribution (T&D) Manager since 2017.
He brings over 30 years of experience to his role. Before joining Tacoma Power in 2010, Joe worked at Seattle City Light and Eugene Water & Electric Board in engineering roles. His roles at Peninsula Light Company and Tacoma Power have been engineering management roles, and has led the System Operations, System Planning and Construction & Maintenance teams. He currently serves as a Northwest Public Power Association Board member.
Joe obtained his B.S in electrical engineering from the University of Washington and maintains his Professional Engineer (PE) license.
Valerie Sherman, Environmental, Health and Safety Manager
Val has served as the Tacoma Power Safety Manger and Tacoma Public Utilities Environmental Compliance Manager since November 2020.
She brings over 25 years of experience to her role. Before joining Tacoma Power, Val worked at Boeing for almost 20 years where she held increasing leadership roles in Safety and Human Resources for a number of Airplane Programs. Prior to Boeing, she worked at The Department of Labor and Industries for almost 10 years and managed both State Fund and Self-Insured Workers’ Compensation claims.
Val obtained her B.A. in Spanish from the University of Puget Sound and her M.B.A from the University of Phoenix.