Then and now: A look at the advanced meter project
In 2019, Tacoma Public Utilities initiated a modernization effort, recognizing the need to go beyond providing and billing for services. Our utility invested in modern technology to replace aging and obsolete meters with more accurate ones that could track critical asset health information to enhance our system’s resiliency and reliability, improve our forecasting and modeling for growth and demand management, and provide customer benefits now and into the future.
A critical part of the transformation involved upgrading over 180,000 aging electric meters and 107,000 water meters to a proven, reliable, and secure platform. These upgrades enabled TPU to roll out a range of customer-focused improvements, including:
Monthly customer billing
Remote electric service reconnection
Detailed water and power usage data
Automated meter readings
Improved reliability through faster outage and leak detection
The advanced meter project involved more than just replacing meters. TPU built a robust communications network and implemented a utility data management system to efficiently capture and process data. The project team evaluated every related process, from service delivery to billing, to ensure a smooth integration with SAP, our customer billing software, and the new MyAccount customer portal.
1 A look at the advanced meter project 3 Tacoma Water wins big in May 8 Service Awards recipients celebrate 2,830 collective years
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p Craig Coyne, advanced meter field investigator
“ This initiative was a collaborative, organization-wide effort,” said Utilities Director Jackie Flowers. “It required extensive cross-functional teamwork and strong partnerships with vendors to ensure a smooth rollout, despite the challenges of a pandemic that disrupted work practices and affected the electric meter supply chain.”
Jackie said the team kept the project on budget despite disruptions from the pandemic, and delivered meaningful customer benefits, with more innovation on the way.
Sally Mohr, program delivery director, shared she felt honored to lead and work alongside the team.
“They continually demonstrated our values of belonging, respect, customer focus, safety, and integrity as they navigated the challenges needed to keep this organization-wide technology program moving forward,” Sally said.
With the transition to automated meter reading complete, field investigators continue to play a vital role in ensuring system reliability and positive customer experiences. Instead of reading meters each month, they now focus on processing service orders, verifying installations, inspecting meters, supporting opt-out customers, and ensuring access to equipment across our service area.
Craig Coyne, one of our 18 dedicated field investigators, brings technical skill and personal care to the job.
“ I like that my job is a combination of technical skills and working outdoors,” Craig said.
“Some days I’ll find a more efficient way to do something on my computer or help a coworker troubleshoot an issue over the phone. I like the views of Mt. Rainier while working in the Sunrise area or seeing the Olympics and Port of Tacoma from Northeast Tacoma.”
As the organization reflects on this multi-year effort, many credit the project’s success to the dedication of its teams and their shared commitment to providing reliable service and continuous improvement. The advanced meter project represents a significant milestone and lays the foundation for future innovation as the utility continues modernizing to meet the needs of today and tomorrow.
Tacoma welcomes Keri Burchard-Juarez as water superintendent
In June, Keri Burchard-Juarez, PE, PMP officially joined Tacoma Public Utilities as the Superintendent of Tacoma Water. Keri comes from Seattle Public Utilities, where she served as deputy director for Project Delivery and Engineering. She brings over 25 years of experience in the municipal water and infrastructure sector, with more than a decade of executive-level leadership. She is known for her dedication to transparent communication and fiscally responsible utility management.
Keri is an active contributor to the water and engineering community at local, state, and national levels. She frequently speaks at professional conferences hosted by organizations such as the American Public Works Association, American Water Works Association, and the American Society of Civil Engineers.
Welcome Superintendent Burchard-Juarez!
p Staff and installers from TPU and installation vendor Tribus gather to celebrate the advanced meter project completion.
Tacoma Water wins big in May
Tacoma Water had major wins in May at the Pacific Northwest Section American Water Works Association Conference in Boise, Idaho. Congratulations to all who represented the utility in competitions, awards, presentations, and more!
WOMEN’S TAPPING TEAM
First place with a time of 1:42.07
Jessa Messer, Sarah DeGidio, and Sami Pielak with coach Brandon Corey
MEN’S TAPPING TEAM
Second place with a time of 1:31.50
Josh Yandle, Zach Shoemaker, and Anthony Chappell with coach Mike McCaffrey
WOMEN’S HYDRANT TEAM
First place with a time of 1:50
Erika Geske and Jennifer Routh with coach Troy Newman
METER CHALLENGE
First place with a time of 34.52
Carlos Camacho
EXCELLENCE IN COMMUNICATIONS AWARD
Honorable mention in the print category
Say Hello to Tacoma Water activity booklet
p Carlos Camacho competes in the Meter Challenge.
p Congrats to the Women’s Tapping Team for taking first place!
STEM events spark student interest in utility careers
Slime, scat, and string may not sound like career tools, but for local students, they helped unlock new ways to think about science and the world of utilities.
Earlier this year, Tacoma Public Utilities hosted two STEM (science, technology, engineering and math) outreach events at its headquarters. About 30 Stewart Middle School MESA (Math, Engineering, Science Achievement) students and 25 Girl Scouts of Western Washington participated in hands-on activities designed to introduce them to careers in the utility sector.
“We have a partnership with the Girl Scouts for an annual ‘Steps to STEM’ program through our Community Support and Sponsorship Program, and we can share that content with local schools as well,” said Rochelle Gandour-Rood, education and sustainability manager. “We’re proud to offer career exploration opportunities for kids in our community.”
STUDENTS EXPLORE SIX HANDS-ON STEM STATIONS
1. Claire Reading , president of the University of Washington Tacoma Society of Women Engineers (SWE) and a Tacoma Power intern, led SWE members in making slime.
2. Natural Resources employees Pam Hefley, Sina Stennes, and Alexa Crnic showed photos and models of scat and led an animal tracking activity.
3. Jim Clark and Winfred Holmes Jr. from Tacoma Rail discussed rail safety and played “Railcards,” a trainbuilding game.
4. Electrical engineers Sam Heilman, Ronaldo Scampini, and Mary Savage demonstrated electrical safety and helped students build snap circuits.
5. GIS team members Danielle Kuchler, Anssel Lopez, Maddie Whitted, and Lee Allen explored Tacoma Power and Tacoma Water maps and led a distance activity using string.
6. Sarah DeGidio, Erika Geske, and Shantel Broussard from Tacoma Water helped students assemble a fire hydrant.
“There were competitions to see who could make the stretchiest or puffiest slime,” said Claire, a representative from the Society of Women Engineers (SWE), one of the event’s partners. “The different challenges helped students practice troubleshooting— skills they’ll use in any future career. Steps to STEM was fun to be part of, and SWE hopes to return next year.”
Education and Sustainability Manager Rochelle Gandour-Rood emphasized the long-term value of this kind of engagement.
“ Youth try different activities and find the ones that resonate with them,” she said. “I also see how our staff shine at youth events. They share their pride in their work and serve as role models. It’s rewarding to show kids the variety of jobs that help keep our community thriving.”
“We’re proud to offer career exploration opportunities for kids in our community,” she said. “We can share this content with local schools as well.”
If you have a school or students you would like to nominate for a program visit, contact Rochelle Gandour-Rood at RGRood@Tacoma.gov.
pTacoma Water’s Sarah DeGidio and Erika Geske work with students to build a fire hydrant.
Tacoma.gov launched in April
The City of Tacoma’s newly modernized website and updated domain, Tacoma.gov, went live in April and shortly after, all City employees’ emails officially changed to @Tacoma.gov. A 2023 site assessment highlighted the need for updates to better align with modern standards of service delivery, mobile accessibility, and usercentric design. These changes will benefit City employees, residents, and community members in addition to reducing security risks.
THE NEW BENEFITS INCLUDE:
Website Update
Site updates include a refreshed look and improved user experience, especially on mobile devices.
Streamlined Transition
Tacoma.gov streamlines the City's web presence, and links from CityofTacoma.org automatically redirect.
Email Changes
In May, City email addresses updated to @Tacoma.gov (except for the Tacoma Public Library and Tacoma Venues & Events). Both the old and new addresses remain active. You will continue to receive emails sent to the old addresses.
Reduced Security Risks
Government domains (.gov) reduce cybersecurity vulnerabilities and require verification that the site belongs to a government entity. Transitioning to .gov helps the public easily identify and trust official government information.
Ubits is going digital and we are looking for your feedback!
Please take a short survey, accessed via this QR code:.
Provide your name at the end of the survey and be entered to win a TPU / Tacoma Rainiers hat.
Devin Hampton joins Public Utility Board
Devin Hampton, an advocate for clean, affordable energy, joined the Tacoma Public Utility Board and attended his first meeting in April.
A Tacoma native and University of Washington graduate, Devin brings extensive experience in both the public and private utility sectors. He currently serves as CEO of UtilityAPI and co-founded Empowering Diverse Climate Talent (EDICT), a coalition of more than 70 companies that has created hundreds of career opportunities for people from diverse and nontraditional backgrounds.
Devin spent eight years in the Obama administration, holding multiple positions at the U.S. Department of Energy, including senior advisor for emerging markets. He later became chief of staff at the U.S. Trade and Development Agency, where he led investments in energy, smart cities and infrastructure projects.
Devin serves as an interim board member while Carlos Watson is on leave.
Community Connection Adds New Partners: Greentrike, NW Furniture Bank
What do hex wrenches and diapers have in common? Both play a role in supporting Community Connection’s newest partners: NW Furniture Bank (NWFB) and Greentrike.
Community Connection offers utility employees a variety of ways to volunteer and donate. While Community Connection maintains long-term partnerships, it also seeks new organizations that align with its mission.
“ A key focus for Community Connection is building strong relationships with community partners who demonstrate integrity, trust, and a clearly defined mission,” said Christina Turner, social responsibility manager. “Our new partnerships with NWFB and Greentrike are great examples of that goal in action.”
AND BUILDING HOPE
The NWFB helps restore hope, dignity, and stability by recycling donated furniture for families in need. Each month, it helps furnish homes for more than 140 families, turning empty spaces into livable homes.
Volunteers earn three hours of incentive time by building furniture, organizing donations, setting up showrooms, and cleaning the warehouse.
“We volunteer one Saturday each month from 9 a.m. to noon at their Tacoma location,” said Jessie Wells, engineering technician III, who helps lead the sessions. “Everyone has a great time—laughter fills the warehouse all morning.”
NW FURNITURE BANK: FURNISHING HOMES
u Following directions is a breeze for Jessie Wells and other TPU volunteers at the NW Furniture Bank. They assembled over 30 pieces of furniture in three hours!
GREENTRIKE: LOW-BARRIER HELP FOR FAMILIES
Greentrike runs the Children’s Museums in Tacoma and at Joint Base Lewis-McChord, offering pay-as-you-will admission. The nonprofit also provides free and lowcost programs and services for local families, including the new program, Monarch Diaper Bank.
Wynnae Wright, shoreline and lands coordinator, led TPU’s first diaper drive for Greentrike. She has a personal connection to the organization—her two sons grew up visiting the Tacoma museum.
“ I’m so happy to give back to this organization that helped me create wonderful memories with my boys,” Wright said. “What impressed me about their diaper bank is the low-barrier access. Families don’t have to register or give personal information; they can just walk in and pick up a bundle.”
Employees embraced the hybrid drive, donating more than $3,700 in diapers and wipes.
“I heard from coworkers who felt this drive aligned perfectly with Community Connection’s mission to support urgent human service needs,” Wynnae said. “When a child needs a clean diaper, there’s no more pressing need.”
Commercial water rebate puts customers first
Tacoma Water recently launched a new rebate for commercial kitchen equipment to help local businesses improve water efficiency.
The rebate provides business customers with a credit on their water bill when they purchase and install water-efficient, ENERGY STAR-certified appliances. Qualifying equipment includes dishwashers, ice machines, steam cookers, and combination ovens with steam cooking functionality.
The utility previously offered a similar rebate through a regional partnership with Puget Sound utilities. After several business customers inquired about incentives for water-efficient appliances in early 2024, Tacoma Water began working to revive the program.
Water designed the new rebate process with ease and efficiency in mind. Business customers can now apply online, receive paperless approval, and get an automatic bill credit. The utility launched the rebate webpage, online application, and eligibility tools on August 30, 2024.
Moving the program from concept to completion required collaboration across multiple teams. Employees developed paperless workflows, coordinated with internal stakeholders, finalized legal requirements, and built the system to support the program’s launch.
Tyler Cummings, sustainability analyst, said the rebate helps local businesses save water and money.
“ A big part of what we do in water conservation is identify where our efforts will have the greatest impact and then provide tips, tools and incentives to help customers make smart decisions,” Tyler said. “These rebates aren’t just for restaurants. Schools, community centers, hospitals, and other commercial water customers qualify, too.”
Customer interest served as the driving force behind the rebate’s relaunch. By tailoring programs to meet real customer needs, Tacoma Water continues to advance its goal of delivering increased value and a better customer experience.
p Ebon Brown, Vall Pearson, Christina Turner, and Wynnae Wright express joy after delivering $3,700 in diapers and wipes for Greentrike’s Monarch Diaper Bank.
celebrating employees
Celebrating 2,830 years of collective service during 2025 Service Awards Week
Tacoma Public Utilities honored employees who reached service milestones in 2024 during Service Awards Week in March.
Honorees celebrated 10, 15, 20, 25, 30, 35, or 40 years of public service, totaling 2,830 years of combined experience. Colleagues, managers, and executive leaders gathered for a recognition ceremony on March 20 at TPU headquarters. Many honorees also attended a celebratory breakfast or lunch before or after the main event.
TPU also recognized this year’s award recipients at TPU Night at the Rainiers in August at Cheney Stadium. Terry Gifford threw out the first pitch, celebrating his 30 years of service.
OUR 2025 HONOREES
40 Years
TACOMA POWER
Mark Aalfs
35 Years
TACOMA POWER
Sharon Skaggs
TACOMA RAIL
Lori Daniels
30 Years
TACOMA POWER
Frederick Boguth
Terry Gifford
Jason Harrell
Mike Shook
Bill Walsh
TACOMA WATER
Heather Pennington
Shelly Shaffer
25 Years
TACOMA POWER
Linda Brent
Bill Cooper
Miki Foster
Matthew Johnson
Joe Maplethorpe
Jason Mitchell
Raymond Pia
Jon Pontsler
Matthew Roy
Craig White
TACOMA WATER
Brad Gronlund
John Haase
Jarrod Kaiser
Conan Kempf
Eric Peterson
Rick Thompson
Ed Vaughn
TACOMA RAIL
Josh Banks
Jon Roberts
CUST. EXPERIENCE
Michael Beeks
Janet Davis
MANAGEMENT
Maria Kossan-Johnson 20 Years
TACOMA
Angela Ambrosio
Susan Baudin
Kelli Boettger
Donna Ebi
Katie Edson
David England
Victor Fernando
Mike Grosvenor
Buddy Kile
Nancy LeMay
Rebecca J. O’Neal
Mark Pigman
Justin Quevedo
Michelle Rhubright
Joy Sage
Shawn Simon
Kurt Topel
Robert Van Cleave
Michelle Wentz
TACOMA WATER
Jodi Collins
Tamera Cummins
Craig Downs
Rod Mapes
Corey Nelson
Steve Pietzke
Deanna Pollard
Bill Reynolds
Doug Smith
James Southern
TACOMA RAIL
Lori Duval
Bryce Edwards
Joe Furtney
Brett Gomsrud
Steve Savy
Joe Shanahan
Dave Swanson
CUST. EXPERIENCE
Bobby Amariyakoune
Carolyn ColeyBooker
Anita James
Michael Jardeen
Randy Lewis
Janine Mann
Norma Lynn Whalen
Kristi Williams
15 Years
TACOMA POWER
Aaron Anderson
Clint Brown
James Connelly
Chris Cournyer
Megan Davis
Ying Hall
Justin Hamilton
Rives Hassell-Corbiell
Lee Henslee
Lee Jefferson
Susan Koscik
Tom Ludwig
Robert Marty
Ryan McLaughlin
Matt Morton
Igal Muhumed
Christopher Nomura
Rebekah Rakestraw
Jeremy Stewart
Glen Stone
Andrew Trimmer
Byron Williamson
TACOMA RAIL
Dan Knouff
Kimo Mawae
CUST. EXPERIENCE
Gus Cardiel
MANAGEMENT SERVICES
Lisa Anderson
10 Years
TACOMA POWER
Jeromy Adams
John Andersen
Jennifer Arbeeny
Mike Bauer
John Bell
Kevin Clark
Felicia Dawson
Lisa Day
Jennifer Foster
Gretchen Galuska
Rachel Gardner
Chris Gill
Dylan Henderson
Stefanie Hunt
Ray Johnson
Craig Kearney
Briane Maldonado
Jordon Moore
Jana Nelson
Andrew Ollenburg
Vallene Pearson
Brandon Ragsdale
Zach Rosendahl
Haley Saul
Skye Sellars
Andy Simpson
Dave Smith
Curtis Sneddon
Michael Stamper
Tom Stedman
Dustin Workman
Travis Wright
Larry Wussow
TACOMA WATER
Ryan Cox
Mike Haley Gertrude Joiner
Elisabeth Leaf
Carol Powers
Megan Predmore
Chris Preston
KC Shankland
Valerie Sowell
Robert Wang
TACOMA RAIL
Edward Appelt
Bradley Garland
John Hylinger
Jeffery King
John Leer
Stephen Siewell
CUST. EXPERIENCE
Daniel Borrowman
Christina Gaytan
Roselynn Mitchell
Rob Stojakovich
Justin Strickland
Welcome new employees
(October 2024 to March 2025)
Kenneth Ake Fleet and Facilities Analyst, Senior
Logan Beaudoin Electrical Meter & Relay Technician Apprentice
Jason Bordash Engineer Technician II
Alicia Bradley Pena Applications/ Systems Engineer, Principal
Michael Carr Electrical Meter & Relay Technician Apprentice
Jessica Cho Engineering Project Manager, Senior
Chris Clingman Electrician
Cory Coleman Hydro Utility Worker
Dillon Cotter Systems Power Dispatcher
Alexa Crnic Natural Resources Analyst, Principal
Allison Danforth Business Systems Analyst, Principal
