General Manager
Steven W. Walter, steve@tannerelectric.coop
Steve Walter, who began his diverse career in Kerrville, Texas
with Kerrville Public Utility Board in 1986, worked his way up
the proverbial ladder. Over the years, he has held multiple
positions with KPUB and now with TEC, with responsibilities
spanning from Meter Reading, Journey Lineman, Foremen, and
Line-Superintendent. In 2006 he became Tanner Electric
Cooperative's General Manager.
He provides strong leadership and direction throughout the
organization. During his 13 years he's worked for TEC, he has
witnessed the steady growth of your cooperative. "When I started
with TEC, our dedicated employees worked hard to provide reliable
electric service to 3,685 meters with annual sales of 5.4 million
Kwh, in three different locations: North Bend, Ames Lake and
Anderson Island. As of 2010, that number of meters has risen to
4,591 and our annual Kwh sales have grown over 63% to 8.8 million."
In 2006 he became the Cooperative's General Manager. The vast
knowledge he has gained through the various positions he has held
at TEC aid him in his day to day oversight of the company. He
completed the Northwest Public Power Association (NWPPA)
Front-line Leadership Program in 2005. He has strong ties within
the communities and his involvement with the youth as founder
and past president of the Anderson Island Athletic Association.
He has also served as an Anderson Island Park Board Commissioner,
Snoqualmie Valley Rotary President and Chamber Board member. In
2010-11 he served as the President of the Washington Rural Electric
Cooperative Association. He has recently been elected to serve on
the National Rural Electric Cooperative Association Board to
represent the Electric Cooperatives in Washington State.
Mr. Walter and his wife, Corrinna, live in North Bend. They have
a daughter, Noel, who graduated from Mt Si High School in 2006 and
recently relocated to Texas. They also have a son, Rory, which is
currently enrolled at Mt. SI High School. For hobbies they enjoy
traveling and watching their son play baseball.
Chief Financial Officer
Robert Carr, rob@tannerelectric.coop
Robert joined Tanner Electric Cooperative as controller in
April 2007. He is responsible for all Accounting, Finance
and Member Service areas of Tanner. Prior to Tanner, Robert
was an auditor with the accounting firm Grant Thornton LLP
in Seattle. Robert is a Certified Public Accountant and a
member of the Washington State Society of CPA's and the American
Institute of CPA's.
Manager of Operations & Engineering
Richard T. Kent, Jr., PE, rich@tannerelectric.coop
Rich joined Tanner Electric Cooperative in July of 2009. He is
responsible for the engineering, construction, and maintenance
of distribution and transmission facilities. Rich has either
worked at electric utilities or consulted for electric utilities
during his entire forty year professional career. He has both
bachelors and masters in electrical engineering and is a
registered professional engineer. Rich and his wife moved here
from the southeast a few years ago and since then have convinced
a son and his wife to move here also.
Receptionist
Nicole Piche, nicole@tannerelectric.coop
Nicole in our new receptionist here at Tanner. She has just
moved here from the extreme cold of Alberta, Canada to be
closer to her family. She is very excited to be a part of
the Tanner staff. Nicole is a proud mother of three children.
She enjoys spending time with her family, cooking and doing
anything that will keep her out doors. She hopes to provide
excellent customer service to all of our members with Tanner.
Administrative Assistant
Lisa Peabody, lisa@tannerelectric.coop
Lisa has been the administrative assistant at Tanner since
November 2005. Her daily duties involve member services
and providing support for our management team and office
staff. Lisa has been a resident of North Bend since 1991,
and she enjoys spending time with her husband and two daughters.
Billing Supervisor
Gwen Campbell, gwen@tannerelectric.coop
Gwen has worked for Tanner for the past four years as the
billing supervisor. She has lived in Washington State since
1969 and enjoys motorcycles, snowmobiling and boating. Please
call or email Gwen with any questions you may have concerning
your bill.
Attorney
Joel Merkel,
Mr. Merkel served as Chief Legislative Counsel on the staff
of former U.S. Senator Henry M. Jackson from 1972 to 1983.
Mr. Merkel’s law practice emphasizes electric and water
utility law and corporate law, including representation
of publicly and cooperatively owned electric and water
utilities and trade associations of such utilities, in
matters involving corporate governance, contracting, including
wholesale power sales and transmission contract issues. He
also counsels clients on business practices, state and
federal legislative counseling, and administrative and
regulatory matters before the Washington Utilities and
Transportation Commission, the Bonneville Power Administration,
and the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission.
NORTH BEND CREW
From Left to Right: from left to right: Karen, Chris, Glen,
Scott,
Dean, Loren, and Ruben
ANDERSON ISLAND CREW
From Left to Right: Robert, Greg, and Stephen.
ALL EMPLOYEES