BIRMINGHAM, Ala. (WBRC) – The CEO of Central Alabama Water sent memos Tuesday ordering three employees — who filed lawsuits against him four days earlier — to report to a distribution facility the following morning, and their attorney is calling it retaliation.
The memos
Jeffrey Thompson, CEO of Central Alabama Water, sent the memo Feb. 24 to former General Manager “Mac” Underwood, instructing him to “report to Distribution” on Wednesday, Feb. 25 at 11:30 a.m. and meet with the utility’s Chief People Officer Brian Lewis “who will provide you with further instructions.” A similar memo directed former Interim Assistant General Manager of Finance and Administration Barry Williams to report at 9:30 a.m. Attorney John Somerville said he assumed a third client, former Interim Senior Manager of Customer Care Michael Parker, received a similar memo, but had not yet checked his email.
Thompson’s memo acknowledged Underwood remained employed by CAW and continued to receive full pay and benefits. Underwood had been placed on temporary administrative leave Nov. 20, 2025 — the same day Thompson was hired as CEO — and on indefinite administrative leave Dec. 12, 2025.
Central Alabama Water said it does not comment on personnel matters.
The attorney’s response
In a letter sent Tuesday afternoon to CAW’s attorneys, Somerville wrote that Thompson’s memo was “nothing other than an attempt to humiliate” his clients…