Central Alabama Water’s new chief executive introduced five interim leaders to the utility’s board of directors Monday.

CEO Jeffrey Thompson placed all the utility’s senior managers on paid administrative leave Nov. 20, the day he was hired. He has elevated current employees to the leadership roles at least temporarily and asked them to stand when he gave their names and titles during the meeting Monday. “They have been long-term employees,” he said.

An introduction of the interim leadership team was not on Monday’s agenda. It happened because board member Jarvis Patton Sr. asked Thompson if leaders to be hired were present and whether board members could meet them if they were. The interim leaders were seated in the second row of chairs provided for board meeting audiences. They are:

• Tim Harris, interim chief operating officer
• Cameron Holly, interim chief technology officer
• Ray Sloan, interim chief reliability officer
• David Walker, interim chief administrative officer
• Jonathan Wilson, interim chief engineering officer

A state law that went into effect in May required the board to hire a CEO. The law gives the chief executive “full authority to manage the operations of the regional board.” However, it requires the CEO to recommend to the board candidates to serve in executive positions.

Some board members and Birmingham Mayor Randall Woodfin have criticized the CEO search process, saying it lacked transparency. Thompson was the only candidate presented to the public or four board members who were not part of a search committee composed of the board’s other three members.

Thompson has not given a reason for placing the five senior managers on leave, including Mac Underwood, who was general manager before Thompson’s hiring.

Board Chairman Tommy Hudson said after last week’s meeting that every CEO has their own team.

Terminating employment contracts with the managers who are on leave could cost CAW approximately $3.3 million at a time when the utility is struggling to develop a 2026 budget that adequately funds operations and capital projects without raising customer rates.