As we enter the holiday season, your Grays Harbor PUD is entering a transformative time in its nearly 85-year history of serving the customers of Grays Harbor.

It’s not just the changing landscape of the power industry or the many state energy policies the utility must follow. It’s our people. In the last year, the PUD has welcomed new leaders to our team and as we end the year, we will see 80 years of PUD experience and leadership leave the utility for the relaxation of retirement.

I would like to start my year end message with a thank you to our retiring leaders and a warm welcome to the new.

We bid a fond and appreciative farewell to three veteran PUD leaders: Vaughn Hamilton, Rob Hanny and Rob Evans. Vaughn leaves the PUD as Operations Director, ending a 35-year career.

Core Services Director Hanny’s retirement closes a 28-year career at the PUD, and Evans departs as the Engineering Services Supervisor, concluding his 17-year span of service. In all, their eight decades of experience depart with our best wishes and gratitude for their dedication to serving you.

Over the last year, we welcomed several new employees to our team, including three Directors: Lynn Latendresse (Power and Energy Services), Matt Rolow (Operations) and Aaron Mefford (Core Services). Their experience, leadership, and expertise have had a positive impact on the utility and these departments are in good hands.

Also during 2024, the PUD has made progress on many projects to strengthen the utility systems that serve you, including substation work at Central Park, Highlands in Cosmopolis and Electric Park in Aberdeen.

Our crews have replaced hundreds of poles, kept the lines clear of trees that could pose a problem, and worked to expand the fiber network in East Grays Harbor along Highway 12. Projects like these increase the value and reliability of the services the PUD provides, which is the heart of our mission.

While the PUD’s contract with the Bonneville Power Administration guarantees that the utility will have power to meet customers’ needs for years to come, we continue to closely monitor changes in the power markets.

Increased demand for electricity, changes in how power is generated, and the introduction of new technologies will have an impact on our industry. Working with our partners in Olympia and Washington, D.C., we ensure that your needs are heard and taken into account when energy policies are discussed.

It continues to be my pleasure to serve as the general manager of your PUD. For 84 years it has operated to serve you, your families, and the businesses and industries of Grays Harbor. It’s a responsibility we take seriously and look forward to continuing into our 85th year and beyond.

Happy Holidays and Happy New Year.