Transmission and Distribution Manager Gary Armfield will serve as superintendent of Tacoma Power from Nov. 1 until he retires in approximately 18 months, according to a statement released today. He succeeds current Tacoma Power superintendent Bill Gaines, who will take on the role of Tacoma Public Utilities director Nov. 1.

“I have given this appointment a great deal of thought,” Gaines said. “Because of his management experience as interim Superintendent and in other roles, Gary is uniquely qualified to take on this assignment. Gary’s skills and mine are very complementary, and we will work well as a team.”

Armfield served as interim superintendent between April and October 2006 while the utility conducted a search for a permanent superintendent. He has led T&D since 1988, but began his career at TPU in 1973.

“This appointment is considered interim because of the fairly short period of time that Gary will serve as superintendent,” Gaines said. “The next 18 months will provide us an opportunity to intensify our succession planning efforts, and better prepare internal candidates for the superintendent position and other senior management roles.”

Prior to the end of Gary’s 18-month interim appointment, Gaines plans to conduct a recruitment and selection process involving both internal and external candidates for the appointment of a permanent Power superintendent.

“Tacoma Power has many significant projects under way,” Armfield said. “I look forward to working with the Tacoma Power team to bring these to completion during the next 18 months. I am very pleased to have the opportunity to help Tacoma Power continue the traditions of reliability, customer service, financial stability, low, stable rates and strengthening the organization.”