Linda McCrea, who had been serving as deputy superintendent of Tacoma Water, took over the helm as superintendent on Feb. 1. McCrea replaces John Kirner, who had served as the water superintendent since 2004 and worked for Tacoma Public Utilities (TPU) for 27 years.
“Linda has proven herself as an outstanding leader at Tacoma Water and in the water industry for many years,” TPU Director Bill Gaines said. “She is well prepared to serve as superintendent and has the skills needed to continue the utility’s history of clean and safe water, excellent service, financial strength and low rates.”
McCrea began her career with Tacoma Water in 1980. She became deputy superintendent in 2006 and served as the distribution manager for 13 years before that. Some of McCrea’s responsibilities have included water system renewal and replacement strategies, long-term water system planning, labor relations, budget preparation and financial planning. She has played a key role in reducing costs for TPU ratepayers and Tacoma taxpayers by leading efforts to coordinate construction activities with other local utilities and public works departments.
“Tacoma Water will have some big decisions to make and important issues to address this year and in the next many years,” McCrea said. “I look forward to leading an excellent team of people through those decisions and challenges, while continuing to provide our customers with service and quality that they deserve and have come to expect.”
Some of the upcoming projects that will fall under McCrea’s leadership include selecting and building a treatment facility to meet stricter federal water regulations, implementing the asset management program that has been in planning stages for several years, refining Tacoma Water’s strategic plan and further developing its role in the region with respect to water supply and environmental protection.
McCrea graduated from the University of Washington with a bachelor of science degree in civil engineering. She is vice chair for Washington Water Utility Council, vice president of South Sound Subsection of American Water Works Association Pacific Northwest Section, member of Water Resource Inventory Area 9 Watershed Planning Forum and a board member of Partnership for Water Conservation.
“This is a bittersweet time for us,” Gaines said. “We wish John the best in his retirement, but will miss his leadership, commitment to public health and his deep understanding of our organization and the drinking water industry. John has positioned the utility to meet our customers’ needs well into the future.”
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