My name is Richard Tift, and I am running for Kitsap County Public Utility District No 1, Commissioner District 3.

This is my first campaign after a 45 year career with the Puget Sound Naval Shipyard.

I have lived in Bremerton since 1960 and graduated from Central Kitsap High School. I attended Olympic College and earned a BA from the University of Washington, BA and an MBA from the University of Puget Sound.

I’m proud to be the former Executive Director of the Puget Sound Naval Shipyard.

I retired in August 2023 with 19 years as Executive Director and 45 years of total Federal Service. I am a former board member of St Michael’s Medical Center and Harrison Medical Center with 15 years’ experience, former member of the Downtown Bremerton Rotary Club and the Greater Olympic Peninsula Navy League.

I am a current member of the University of Washington Tacoma Chancellor’s Advisory Board, and I am the Vice-chair of the Bremerton Planning Commission. I am a graduate of Leadership Kitsap and served as a former President of the LK Foundation.

I bring decades of experience in leadership, management, and community service to this position.

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‘Rick Tift has been a constant at Puget Sound Naval Shipyard for 19 years – as commanding officers came and went – always advocating for the workforce and acting as a liaison to the community. You will never find a more dedicated, loyal, and considerate man than Rick – and I wish him the best.’

~ Rep. Derek Kilmer

Rick’s Platform

1. The Kitsap Public Utilities District has countywide water management responsibility. I will assure the KPUD is planning for the extraordinary population and jobs growth projected for Kitsap County based on the forecasts of the Puget Sound Regional Council of Governments.

2. I will support the continued construction of the Broadband utility and determine how KPUD can partner with Federal, State, and Local officials as well as the business community to make this resource more visible and affordable.

3. I will address the barriers to entry that many retail customers encounter when trying to utilize the KPUD fiber optic resource. Currently it is very costly for a typical homeowner to connect to the KPUD broadband utility even though it might be within a few hundred yards of their home or business.

4. I will assure that KPUD has emergency procedures and disaster preparedness plans documented in writing and they are regularly tested with drills and tabletop exercises.

WHY SHOULD YOU

VOTE FOR RICK TIFT?

  • Proven leadership: With 19 years as a senior level manager with the Puget Sound Naval Shipyard I have executive experience with successfully managing large and complex organizations. No other candidate has my level of training or experience.

  • Innovative and removing barriers: I have a track record of successfully managing and building coalitions and partnerships to achieve results often considered unachievable.

  • Community Service: My extensive service on the boards of St Michael Medical Center and Harrison Medical Center and my current roles with UW-Tacoma Chancellor’s Advisory Board and the Bremerton Planning Commission demonstrate my dedication to serving the community.

  • Contacts and Relationships: Through my work as PSNS Executive Director I was fortunate to develop strong relationships with Kitsap County elected leaders, Navy officials, Federal and State Legislators, members of the business community and Shipyard Union Leadership. These relationships are intact and will benefit my work with the KPUD if I am elected.

  • Vision for the Future: I have a clear vision for the future of the Kitsap PUD and I am committed to maintaining a superior level of service to current customers and ratepayers, planning for the extraordinary population growth forecasted for Kitsap County, assuring the PUD is prepared for emergencies and natural disasters, and capitalizing on the investment in Broadband construction by making it more visible and affordable for Kitsap County citizens and businesses.

RICK'S ENDORSEMENTS

  • Rep. Derek Kilmer

    Congressman U.S. 6 th Congressional District

  • Cary Bozeman

    Former Mayor City of Bremerton and Current Bremerton Port Commissioner

  • Mayor Rob Putaansuu

    Mayor, City of Port Orchard

  • Patty Lent

    Former Mayor City of Bremerton and Former Kitsap County Commissioner

  • Rep Greg Nance

    Washington 23 rd Legislative District

  • John Clauson

    Former Port Orchard City Councilman

  • Congressman Norm Dicks

  • Kitsap Building Association

  • John Poppe

    Silverdale Water Commissioner

  • Bremerton Metal Trades Council

Contact Rick

rtift4KPUD@gmail.com

(360)731-0864

P.O. Box 5773 Bremerton WA 98312