Mac Underwood is no longer the general manager of the Birmingham Water Works, but the exact terms of his departure are somewhat unclear.
Water Works spokesman Rick Jackson said Underwood resigned from his position and the Water Works Board voted unanimously to accept his resignation and terminate his employment Wednesday at its regular board meeting.
However, John Somerville, an attorney representing Underwood, told AL.com Underwood did not resign and did not submit a resignation letter. Somerville declined to comment further on why Underwood is leaving the Water Works.
Michael Johnson, who had been the assistant general manager of finance and administration for the Water Works was appointed as interim general manager.
Johnson presided over the Board’s meeting Wednesday. Underwood was not in attendance. Johnson called the meeting to order just after 12:30 p.m. and after an opening prayer, the board immediately adjourned into executive session, which lasted about 35 minutes. After returning to session, the board proceeded through its normal business before Water Works attorney Mark Parnell read a resolution to end Underwood’s employment, which was unanimously approved by the board.
The meeting adjourned immediately after the vote.
According to a news release sent by the Water Works after the meeting, Underwood resigned in order to pursue other employment opportunities. The release thanked Underwood for “17 years of service and leadership.”
“We want to make this transition as seamless as possible,” Johnson said in the news release. “We will continue business as usual with providing clean, safe drinking water at the lowest possible price to our customers. That remains our priority.”
Underwood joined the Water Works Board in 2001 and became general manager in 2005, replacing Mike Vann, according to The Birmingham News archives. Underwood is a certified public accountant and a member of the Alabama Water Resources Commission.
Before joining the Water Works, Underwood was finance director for the city of Birmingham for six years.
Underwood released a statement later Wednesday afternoon stating that he was leaving the Water Works and thanking Water Works employees while highlighting the system’s accomplishments during his tenure.
“I would like to thank the Water Works for the opportunity to serve our regional water customers, local municipalities and the public for over 17 years," Underwood said. "Special thanks to the assistant general managers, managers and employees for their support over the years. Our efforts benefited our community and made a positive difference for our customers and the region.
“When I started work at BWWB in 2001, the System had to borrow money to meet payroll, we had no cash reserves and low bond ratings. As a team, we recommended and implemented sound financial policies and procedures that stabilized and strengthened the System’s financial condition which ultimately (in October 2018) resulted in AA bond ratings from Moody’s Investor Service and Standard & Poor’s. Both agencies indicated that our management team received AAA rating for managing and controlling things under its control. We also made substantial improvements in water system assets and facilities to ensure the System’s ability to meet current and future regulations.”
The Birmingham Water Works is among the largest water providers in Alabama, serving approximately 600,000 people in Jefferson, Shelby, Blount, St. Clair, and Walker counties.
This story will be updated.