Power Management Team
Chris Robinson, Power General Manager/Chief Operating Officer (COO)
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 through the utility’s mission of providing reliable and affordable electric services.
Chris also enjoys collaborating with industry peers across the Pacific Northwest to bring value to electric consumers in the entire region. Towards this objective, 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.
Rachel Allen, Power Shared Services Manager
Rachel has served as the Power Shared Services (PSS) Section Manager since 2018.
She brings over 30 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.
Kalyan Kakani, Utility Technology Manager
Kalyan has served as the Utility Technology Manager/CIO since 2024.
He brings over 25 years of experience to his role. Before joining Tacoma Power, Kalyan worked at Seattle City Light as the Utility Technology Director. He has extensive Informational and Operational Technology experience in the utility industry (including water, gas, and electric) in private and government sectors.
Kalyan obtained a Bachelor of Technology in Engineering from Andhra University, a Master of Science in Engineering from University of Louisiana, and he is a Certified Public Manager with the State of Nevada.
Ying Hall, Rates Planning & Analysis Manager
Ying has served as the Rates, Planning, & Analysis (RPA) Section Manager since 2022.
She brings over 15 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 27 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.
Ray Johnson, Power Management Manager
Ray has served as the Power Management Manager since 2023.
He brings over 20 years of experience to his role. Before joining Tacoma Power in 2014, Ray worked at The Energy Authority, Inc. as the Analytics Manager for their west coast office. He joined Tacoma Power as the Manager for the Rates & Energy Risk group in Power Management. Most recently, he served as the Power Assistant Section Manager for the Energy Resource Planning and Evaluation Team.
Ray obtained a B.A. in Economics and International Studies from Oregon State University, and an MBA with a Finance concentration from Seattle University.
Joseph Wilson, Transmission and Distribution Manager
Joe has served as the Transmission & Distribution (T&D) Manager since 2017.
He brings over 32 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 27 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.