PARKLAND LIGHT & WATER - Key Persons
Job Titles:
- Member of the Management Team
- Water Superintendent
In 1990, after completing his AA Degree from Green River Community College in Water Technology, Dale was hired by PL&W. Dale was a member of the water construction crew for ten years and water treatment crew for five years before becoming the Water Superintendent. He holds his Washington State Certification as a WDM III, CCS, and WTPO II. Dale has been a resident of Pierce County since 1984 with his wife and two kids.
Job Titles:
- Member of the Management Team
- Electrical Superintendent
Dale Butcher served in the U.S. Army for five years, both stateside and overseas. In 1990, he came to the Northwest. After completing his apprentice training, Dale worked as a journeyman lineman for various construction companies across the Northwest in all aspects of the electrical industry. In 1999, Dale came to work for PL&W as a lineman, and in time was promoted to lead-lineman, followed by foreman and general foreman. Dale also served on the Joint Apprenticeship Training Committee, and in 2016 accepted the Electrical Superintendent position.
Dr. Mark Mulder was appointed to the Board May 29, 2019. He serves as the Dean of the School of Business and as a Professor of Business Administration (Marketing) at Pacific Lutheran University. Professor Mulder teaches in the MBA, Master of Science in Marketing Analytics, and undergraduate business programs. Professor Mulder has been recognized as Professor of the year and a recipient of teaching and research awards. He also volunteers as a business and marketing consultant with local and global nonprofits and business organizations. As an advocate for clean water, he has served to collaborate with communities while completing clean-water well projects in eight remote locations in Nicaragua and Honduras. His 20+ years of experience in Parkland as well as business, research and marketing expertise provides a great resource for the Board.
Elaine Walter was voted onto the Board March 23, 1993 and is the first woman to be a PL&W Trustee. She has lived in the Parkland area all of her life and received her bachelor's degree in business education at Pacific Lutheran University (PLU) before receiving her master's in business at Oregon State University. Elaine taught at Fife High School for 30 years. With her establishment in the community and educational background, Elaine brings a wealth of ideas and information to the Board.
Gary Grazzini was appointed to the Board on October 25, 2007 and was voted in March 2008. Gary has a well-known history of the Parkland area and community, having been a resident his entire life. He attended Western Washington University and achieved a successful career in sales for 25 plus years. With his professional experience, knowledge in business, and the local community, Gary brings a positive well-grounded background to the PL&W board.
Gary Hauenstein was appointed to the Board August 2001 and voted in on March 26, 2002. Gary has had an enriching career in firefighting, serving 30 years at Parkland's Station #6 before retiring as Fire Chief. Gary's professional knowledge of Parkland's water system and community involvement makes Gary a great asset to the Board.
Janet Detering was appointed to the Board Nov. 29, 2012 and voted in March 2013. Janet was born in Goldendale, WA. She and her family have lived in the Parkland community since 1966. She completed a Bachelor of Arts at The Evergreen State College and an MBA from Southern Illinois University at Edwardsville. From March 1988 through April 2018 she was Controller for the Kurt Mayer and Joe Mayer families. Her community service has included serving on the Franklin Pierce School Board from 1973 to 1985, the South Pierce County Branch Boys & Girls Club, Glacier View District Boy Scouts and the Parkland/Spanaway Rotary Club. Her wealth of financial knowledge and her community involvement make her a true asset to the board.
Joseph "Zeek" Swanson has been a lifelong resident of East Pierce County. His youthful ambitions took him to the Soviet Union as a student ambassador in the early 90's, involved him in various local non-profit community service groups as well as a few political action campaigns. In 1994 he took his first utility job in the public water distribution field and accepted a position with PL&W in 1999. Over the next 17 years he held various positions including foreman of the water department construction crew and union shop steward until accepting the engineering tech position in 2016.
Job Titles:
- General Manager
- Member of the Management Team
Susan Cutrell began her career at PL&W in 2001 and held several positions at the Cooperative prior to being appointed General Manager in 2015. As General Manager, she leads the company's daily operations and oversees PL&W's commitment to providing reliable and efficient electric and water services at the lowest cost. She has over two decades of management experience and takes great pride in managing PL&W's electric, water and administrative professionals. Mrs. Cutrell is a graduate of Pacific Lutheran University, holding a Master's in Business Administration and a Bachelor's of Science in Accounting. Susan and her husband have lived in Pierce County since 1982 and have four children.