Within hours of being named chief executive officer of Central Alabama Water (CAW), Jeff Thompson placed the management team on leave. On Monday night, that team was replaced, and Thompson was approved to make the interim team permanent.
The previous leadership team included Barry Williams, Derrick Murphy, Philip King and Michael Parker.
Also during Monday's meeting, the board voted to rescind the organization's Historically Underutilized Business (HUB) policy, which gave preferential treatment to minority-owned businesses.
When asked by Jefferson County Commissioner Sheila Tyson, the Birmingham City Council appointee, "So why are we getting rid of it?"
"In order to comply with Alabama law, we are directed to operate this utility in the most efficient manner possible," Thompson responded before Jarvis Patton, Sr., the appointee of Birmingham Mayor Randall Woodfin, cut him off.
"So you're saying hiring black folks is not efficient?" Patton asked.
"As a result of having the most efficient operation possible, we need to have the greatest competition possible," Thompson explained.
"Are you saying that black folks need to be competitive?" Patton said.
"With additional competition comes better pricing," Thompson replied
"You saying black folks don't have fair pricing?" Patton asked.
"I never said that," Thompson corrected him.
Then the conversation returned to the earlier hires, taking a turn into legally questionable territory.
"The employees, you say, you just hired 14. How many African Americans did you have?" Tyson asked before she was ruled out of order.
It was explained that the former policy was intended to "give preference," and the "resolution would restore equal opportunity."
Central Alabama Water provided information about the new leadership team members. CAW stated, "Each person reports directly to Thompson."
Timothy Harris, Chief Operating Officer
Harris oversees four surface water treatment plants, five raw water pump stations, a certified laboratory, electrical and mechanical maintenance and Supervisor Control and Data Acquisition (SCADA) operations. Harris has more than 25 years of experience in public-sector drinking water operations. He holds a Bachelor of Science in Business Administration and an Executive Master of Business Management from Faulkner University. He earned the Water and Wastewater Leadership credential from UNC Kenan-Flagler.
Cameron Holly, Chief Technology Officer
Holly will lead information technology, business systems, SCADA and Geographic Information Systems. With more than three decades of technology and leadership experience, Mr. Holly spent the last 23 years with Ricoh in both the U.S. and Latin American divisions, advancing through roles of increasing responsibility to Senior Manager of Strategy, Planning, Analysis and Service Performance. His leadership delivered revenue growth, cost efficiencies and enhanced customer experience. Holly holds a bachelor's degree from Bethlehem College and served as an instructor at The Bethlehem Institute.
Brian Lewis, Chief People Officer
Lewis is responsible for human resources, training and development, public relations and the customer care team. He is a 30-year veteran of the U.S. Air Force, earning the Bronze Star in Iraq and retiring as a colonel. Lewis worked in health care for four years and earned the Senior Professional in Human Resources credential from the Human Resources Certification Institute. He earned a Bachelor of Science from the U.S. Air Force Academy and Master of Science from Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University.
Ray Sloan, Chief Reliability Officer
Sloan is responsible for distribution and transmission system maintenance and construction, meter maintenance, billing, non-revenue water, new customer installs and critical operations support. He has held many operational and technical roles since joining the utility in 2009. Sloan is a member of several committees and working groups for technical manuals and standards with the American Water Works Association. He earned a Bachelor of Science in Mathematics and a Master of Science in Engineering from the University of Alabama at Birmingham.
Lester Smith, Chief Financial Officer
Smith is responsible for purchasing, payroll, budget, financial reporting, property and equipment and accounts payable. He most recently served as interim finance director for the City of Homewood. Smith was chief financial officer and finance director for the City of Birmingham from 2019-2021. He has extensive experience in public and private sector accounting. He earned a Bachelor of Science from Auburn University and is a chartered global management accountant.
David Walker, Chief Administrative Officer
Walker is responsible for facilities, safety, security, transportation and warehouse operations. A U.S. Marine Corps veteran and recipient of the Navy Achievement Medal, Walker served in the infantry from 1991-1995 before a 22-year career in law enforcement. He later served as Senior Security Specialist at Puget Sound Energy and joined the CAW in 2022 as Security Manager. Walker holds a Bachelor of Science in Criminal Justice Administration from Bellevue University and a Master of Science in Criminal Justice from Saint Joseph's University. He is currently pursuing an Executive MBA at Faulkner University.
Jonathan Wilson, Chief Engineering Officer
Wilson is responsible for the surveying group, land administration, pressure complaints, system development and engineering. He has worked at the utility for 20 years. A licensed professional engineer in Alabama, Wilson earned a Bachelor of Science in Civil Engineering from the University of Alabama and a Master of Science in Engineering from the University of Alabama at Birmingham.
In addition to the management changes, CAW also replaced longtime engineering firm Arcadis.
This move "fulfills the requirement in Alabama Act 2025-297 that the board retain a consulting engineer with a national reputation for providing high-quality engineering services to water systems," according to a statement released by CAW.
The board also discussed rescheduling future meetings, with Sheila Tyson noting that she prefers not to return home to her community after dark.
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