For Immediate Release: Thursday, November 20, 2025
BIRMINGHAM – Alabama’s largest water utility has a new leader. The Board of Directors of Central Alabama Water today selected Jeff Thompson as the organization’s first chief executive officer.
Thompson returns to Alabama’s largest water utility from DC Water in Washington, D.C., where he served as Chief Operating Officer and Executive Vice-President from 2023 to 2025. His first day on the job at Central Alabama Water is November 20, 2025.
“On behalf of my fellow board members, I welcome Jeff to Central Alabama Water (CAW),” said Tommy Hudson, chairman of the CAW Board and a member of the CEO Search Committee. “We’re confident Jeff is the right person for the job and look forward to him hitting the ground running. This marks a milestone in our work to transform Central Alabama Water into a modern and efficient organization focused on its customers.”
Thompson provided executive leadership and strategic vision for a team of more than 850 operations and engineering professionals at DC Water. He oversaw an annual operations and maintenance budget of more than $300 million and a $9.62 billion 10-year capital improvement program.
Before joining DC Water, Thompson was Assistant General Manager for Operations and Technical Services from 2019 to 2023 for the Birmingham Water Works Board. He was responsible for directing operational activities such as water resources, water treatment, laboratory services, security and regulatory compliance. Under his leadership, the utility met or exceeded all requirements for water quality.
Thompson’s career began in 1990 as a water resources engineer for The Walt Disney Company. In addition to Alabama and Washington, D.C, he has held executive roles at utilities in Florida, Rhode Island and Massachusetts.
“This is an incredible opportunity to work alongside the Central Alabama Water team to serve our customers,” said Thompson. “I’m grateful to the board members for placing their trust in me and look forward to what we will accomplish together. In the coming months, I plan to listen, visit with local stakeholders and customers and craft a plan to help the CAW become a world-class utility.”
Thompson earned a Bachelor of Science in Civil Engineering from the University of Central Florida, and an Executive MBA from The University of Alabama. Thompson is a licensed professional engineer in the State of Florida. He is a member of several professional organizations including the American Water Works Association, The Water Research Foundation, Association of Metropolitan Water Agencies, National Society of Professional Engineers and the American Society of Civil Engineers.
Act 2025-297 required the CAW Board to hire a CEO to manage operations. In addition to Hudson, the search committee consisted of board vice-chairman Phillip Wiedmeyer and board member David Standridge.
About Central Alabama Water:
Central Alabama Water serves customers in Jefferson, Shelby, St. Clair, Blount and Walker counties. It operates four filtration plants, a certified testing laboratory and has more than 4,100 miles of water main in its distribution network. Visit www.bwwb.org for more information.
