By WPUDA Staff
Olympia – The Washington Public Utility Districts Association (WPUDA) announced the election of its new officers for 2026-2027. Commissioners from five public utility districts will assume top leadership positions within the statewide organization.
Jefferson County PUD Commissioner Dan Toepper was elected President of WPUDA. Commissioner for Cowlitz County PUD, Bruce Pollock, will serve as Vice President. Commissioner for Mason County PUD No. 3 Juli Tuson, will serve as Secretary, while Commissioner Dave McKenzie of Skamania County PUD will begin the second year of his two-year term as Treasurer. Debra Lester, Kitsap County PUD Commissioner, will move into the position of Past President having completed her term as President.
The officers serve on the Association’s Executive Committee and Board of Directors, providing oversight and recommendations in support of WPUDA’s mission. The Washington PUD Association represents 27 not-for-profit, community-owned public utility districts and one-joint operating agency, Energy Northwest. WPUDA member PUDs provide energy, water, wastewater, and telecommunications services to communities across Washington. The new officers assume an important leadership role in achieving the Association’s mission to “support, protect and enhance members’ ability to conserve power and water resources of the state and to provide not-for-profit, locally controlled utility services.”
Newly elected WPUDA President, Dan Toepper has served in leadership positions at the Washington PUD Association for several years. Toepper served as the Association’s Secretary and Vice-President before being elected President. Toepper has served on the Jefferson County PUD Board of Commissioners since his election in 2018. He currently serves as Board President. “I deeply appreciate the trust and support that the members of WPUDA have given to myself, the officers and members of the Executive Board to represent this great Association,” said Toepper. “We will work to ensure that WPUDA is a trusted resource and a strong partner within the utility sector. WPUDA will advocate for and help shape sensible policy that will benefit all utility customers through affordable and reliable services throughout the region.”
Cowlitz County PUD Commissioner Bruce Pollock, who previously served as WPUDA Secretary, was elected to serve as Vice-President. “I am honored to have been elected Vice-President of the Washington Public Utility Districts Association (WPUDA) Executive Board. Serving alongside commissioners and staff who are deeply committed to reliable, affordable public power is a privilege I value greatly,” said Pollock. “I look forward to continuing our collective work to navigate legislative challenges and strengthen the future of Washington’s PUD communities.”
Mason PUD 3 Commissioner Juli Tuson will serve as Secretary. Tuson was elected to the Mason PUD 3 Board of Commissioners in 2022 and it will be her first year serving as a WPUDA officer. “It’s an honor to be elected to the Washington PUD Association Executive Committee, as it allows me to help advance the same mission that drives Mason PUD 3—providing safe, reliable, economical, and sustainable services to the community we serve,” said Tuson.
“WPUDA's strong commitment to statewide advocacy, ongoing education, and collaborative leadership strengthens public power across Washington.” Skamania County PUD Commissioner Dave McKenzie will continue his two-year term of service as the Association’s Treasurer. “I have appreciated working with Association staff to ensure sound financial management of the Association’s resources and look forward to continuing to keep members informed on the financial health of the organization.”
Kitsap County PUD Commissioner Debra Lester moves into the position of Past President after completing her term as President. Lester previously served as Vice-President and Secretary.
The Washington PUD Association was established in 1936. Its mission is to support, protect and enhance its members’ ability to conserve the power and water resources for the benefit of the people of the State of Washington and provide not-for-profit, locally controlled utility services. Visit www.wpuda.org for more information.