Will Purser, former Clallam County PUD No. 1 commissioner, received the Spence Vanderlinden Public Official Award during the American Public Power Association’s National Conference in Seattle. The award recognizes elected or appointed local officials who have contributed to the goals of the American Public Power Association (APPA).

Purser has been involved in public power for more than 20 years, having joined Clallam County PUD as commissioner in 2001. With an educational background in nuclear engineering, he was appointed to serve on the Energy Northwest Board of Directors in April 2008 and elected to the executive board in June 2010. He was then elected Vice Chair in 2018 and Chair in 2020, he remained the chair until 2022.

Purser actively attends APPA’s conferences and workshops, including the National Conference and other high-level summits.

The American Public Power Association represents not-for-profit, community-owned utilities that power 2,000 towns and cities nationwide.