Columbia Power & Water Systems announced today a transition in its executive leadership. Jonathan Hardin has resigned from his position as chief executive officer for personal reasons.
In recent months, Hardin ushered CPWS’s Long-Term Water Supply Project through numerous vital milestones. Under intense pressure to delay, Hardin’s calm leadership, steady hand and refusal to be paralyzed by opposition or uncertainty ensured CPWS’s ability to secure revenue and funding before inflationary pressures accelerated.
Pending formal approval from the City of Columbia’s Board of Public Utilities, CPWS Chief Operating Officer Jack Baxter — a longtime Maury County resident with 35 years of Middle Tennessee utility experience — will be promoted to the role of Interim CEO.
“Having so often put the community’s needs above his own over his tenure, the board recognizes the toll and respects Jonathan’s decision to prioritize his personal well-being at this time,” CPWS Board Chair Walker Vining said. “We extend our deepest gratitude for Jonathan’s service to our community. Moving forward, we remain steadfast in our mission to ensure the current and long-term reliability of the basic power, water and communications services that allow a community to function. We have an incredibly talented, resilient team, and we have full confidence in Jack Baxter’s ability to step into this interim role.”
As Interim CEO, Baxter will assume primary responsibility for maintaining daily system reliability and keeping major capital improvement projects on schedule to ensure future reliability.
In conjunction with announcing this leadership transition, CPWS also reiterates its unwavering support and full commitment to executing its Long-Term Water Supply Project.
“Make no mistake, projects under way to create redundancy, improve reliability, and secure a long-term water supply are proceeding without interruption,” Baxter said. “We have all the revenue and funding confidence we need to proceed with the new water treatment plant and a relocation of our primary intake to a safer and more environmentally friendly location on the Duck River. The only question that remains is whether our ratepayers will save more than $50 million in avoidable interest via approval of our State Revolving Fund loan application.”
More information about CPWS’s Long-Term Water Supply Project can be found at CommunityH2O.org. A decision on CPWS’s application for an SRF loan devoted to treatment expansion was postponed one month at the Tennessee Local Development Authority’s June meeting.
“Delay does not equal defeat” Baxter said. “In fact, the substance of the meeting tells a far more encouraging story. Officials confirmed our SRF loan application satisfies the standard of review and meets every single requirement for approval. TLDA members acknowledged our legal obligation to build a new water treatment plant no matter what.”
The Tennessee Department of Environment and Conservation requires water utilities to start the process of expanding system capacity once they surpass 80 percent of permitted capacity. TDEC confirms CPWS has reached 93 percent of its permitted treatment capacity.
“With just 7 percent excess treatment capacity and no other permitted projects available to address the situation, anyone trying to defeat this project is playing a dangerous game and revealing their willingness to gamble the community’s water supply,” Baxter said. “I share Comptroller Mumpower’s disappointment that Columbia and Maury County are at odds over this project and Mayor Molder’s belief that water should not be politicized. While we were disappointed to leave the June hearing without an answer, one month is a small price to pay to ensure all feel as informed and comfortable as possible before voting on such a critically important project.”
ABOUT JACK BAXTER
Jack Baxter boasts 35 years of Middle Tennessee utility experience, including a 10-year tenure as Vice President of Power System Operations at Nashville Electric Service. A longtime Maury County resident, Baxter began his career at CPWS in 1991, was a finalist for the CEO position in 2012 and rejoined the organization as chief strategy officer in 2025. Baxter boasts extensive operational and managerial experience combined with an intimate understanding of the utility's infrastructure, field personnel and the community it serves. Baxter and his wife Cindy moved to Columbia after graduating from Tennessee Tech to start their careers and a family. Two sons were born and raised in Columbia and attended Maury County Public Schools.
ABOUT CPWS
Columbia Power & Water Systems is a municipal utility proudly owned by the citizens of Columbia, Tennessee, that also serves other municipalities and unincorporated areas of Maury County. CPWS’s mission is to provide reliable and affordable electric, water and broadband services while maintaining the highest standards of quality, safety and environmental responsibility for the citizens of Columbia and Maury County. Established in 1939, CPWS serves a population of over 80,000 and includes about 165 employees serving the community.