Aug. 12, 2009

Media contact: Chris Gleason, Community & Media Services manager, (253) 502-8222

The Tacoma City Council has appointed Woodrow Jones, Jr., a former employee of the City of Tacoma, as the newest member of the Public Utility Board. He will be sworn in at the board’s 6:30 p.m. meeting today.

Jones’ employment history with the City of Tacoma includes two years as Human Resources director and 10 years as an assistant director of Tacoma Public Utilities. He also served as Utilities General Services manager and personnel manager.

“I would like to use my 30 years of experience and knowledge with the City of Tacoma to benefit the ratepayers of Tacoma Public Utilities,” Jones said. “Coming in with an understanding of the organization, working knowledge of the oversight role of the Public Utility Board and experience with policy development will enable me to hit the ground running.”

Jones has served as a member and leader of many community service organizations, including Tacoma Sunrise Rotary, City Club, Bates Technical College, Tacoma Municipal League, Goodwill and Tacoma Community House.

The Public Utility Board is the governing body for Tacoma Public Utilities, which consists of Tacoma Power, Tacoma Water and Tacoma Rail. Tacoma Public Utilities serves 180,000 customers in the Tacoma-Pierce County area.

The City Council appoints the five members, who serve five-year terms without pay. The Board meets on the second and fourth Wednesday of the month at 6:30 p.m. in the Public Utilities Administration Building, South 35th Street and Union Avenue. Meetings are open to the public and public comments are accepted. Meetings are broadcast live on TV Tacoma channel 12.