Leadership Team

Tim Lyons

General Manager

Tim Lyons

Tim Lyons was named General Manager of Owensboro Municipal Utilities on April 1, 2022. Prior to this he was the Director of Delivery for OMU. He joined OMU as Transmission and Distribution Engineering Manager in 2007.

During his tenure as the Director for Delivery, Tim was responsible for directing the construction, operations, maintenance, and engineering of the OMU transmission and distribution systems to provide customers safe, reliable energy and water. 

Tim has a wealth of experience in the electric utility business, beginning his career with Kentucky Utilities Company in 1993 as an electrical engineer. In 2000, he was promoted to the position of Team Leader of Line Construction and Maintenance where he managed Kentucky Utilities line crews throughout western Kentucky.

Tim earned his Bachelor of Science Degree from the University of Evansville, majoring in Electrical Engineering. In addition, he graduated from the LGE-Leadership class in 2002. He currently serves on the Southeastern Reliability Corporation (SERC) Board of Directors, Chair of the SERC Nominating and Governance Committee, and is a graduate of Emerge Owensboro.

Russ Evans

Director Of Production

Russ Evans joined Owensboro Municipal Utilities in June 2009 as the Technical Services Manager. During his role as Technical Services Manager, Russ was responsible for engineering, capital project management, electrical control systems, and regulatory compliance for the Elmer Smith Power Plant.

In 2017 Russ’ title changed to the Production Technical Services Manager when the Cavin Water Treatment Plant and the Plant A Water Treatment Plant were added to his area of responsibility. He served as the Production Technical Services Manager until October 29, 2022, when he was named Director of Production.
As Director of Production, Russ is responsible for directing the construction, operations, maintenance, and engineering of OMU’s Cavin Water Treatment Plant.

Russ began his career in the industrial construction industry. He obtained extensive experience while managing the construction of power plants, paper mills, chemical plants, and a gold mine in various locations throughout the country. Russ, a Lewisport native, graduated from the University of Evansville earning a degree in Mechanical Engineering. He is a licensed Class IVA water treatment operator, Licensed Drone Pilot, and has his Project Management Professional Certification. Russ is active in the water treatment industry serving on the Kentucky Water Utility Council and the Source Water Protection Subcommittee.

Russ and his wife have two daughters. He is an active volunteer in his church’s middle school and high school youth program and has served with other nonprofit organizations. Russ is also a Past District Governor for Lions Clubs International and past City Council Member for the City of Lewisport. Russ is a graduate of Leadership Owensboro.

J. Lynn Holland, C.P.A., M.B.A.

Director Of Finance & Accounting

J. Lynn Holland joined Owensboro Municipal Utilities in April 2013, after serving since December 2008 as a member and secretary of the Utility Commission. She is a Certified Public Accountant, and has earned an MBA from the University of Phoenix.

Lynn is also a Certified School Financial Officer and has earned a Bachelor of Science Degree in Accounting, an Associate of Science degree in Computer Programming and an Associate of Science degree in Business Administration from Brescia University. She has most recently served as Assistant Superintendent for Business Affairs with the Owensboro Public School System since 2002.

Lynn worked with Alexander and Co. CPAs from 1987 until 1989 before working with Kenergy Corp. from January 1989 through January 1997. In 1997, she began working for the Kentucky Department of Education as a Financial Liaison for 23 Western Kentucky school districts. She is a member of the AICPA (American Institute of Certified Public Accountants), Kentucky Society of Certified Public Accountants, KASBO (Kentucky Association of School Business Officials) and ASBO (Association of School Business Officials International) and is a member of the City of Owensboro Pension Board.

Brad Howton

Director of Customer & Shared Services

Brad Howton

Brad Howton was named Director of Production in 2019, after serving as interim director for over a year. Prior to being named director, he served as reliability engineer and plant engineer at the Elmer Smith Station before being named maintenance and operations manager. Brad was named Director of Customer & Shared Services in September 2022.

Brad is a graduate of the University of Kentucky, earning a degree in mechanical engineering. Brad, a Dawson Springs native, graduated as valedictorian. He has experience in the manufacturing industry, including coal mining, aircraft engine components, fiberglass, and aluminum.

Brad and his wife have two children and one grandchild. He has also served as a Kentucky High School Basketball referee for over 16 years and has officiated several district and regional tournaments as well as the KHSAA Girls’ Sweet Sixteen Tournament in 2017.

Austin McLimore

Director of Transmission & Distribution

Austin McLimore joined Owensboro Municipal Utilities in February 2010 as a Delivery Engineer. He served as the Delivery Engineering Manager from March 2011 until May 2022 when he was named to his current position of Director of Transmission & Distribution.

Austin is responsible for directing the construction, operations, maintenance, and engineering of OMU’s electric and water transmission and distribution system.

Austin began his career in the electric industry in 2005 at Warren Rural Electric in Bowling Green, Kentucky, as an electrical engineer.  He is a 2005 graduate of Western Kentucky University jointly with the University of Louisville, earning a degree in electrical engineering.

Austin is active in the community and in youth sports having served as League President of Owensboro Daviess County Cal Ripken Baseball Association as well as coaching of multiple teams throughout the years. He is a captain/firefighter/EMT with the Utica Fire Department and is a member of Western Kentucky University’s Engineering Advisory Council.

Christopher Poynter

Director Of Telecommunications

Christopher Poynter joined Owensboro Municipal Utilities in October 2013 and is the Director of Telecommunications. In this role, he leads OMU’s efforts to provide extremely reliable, fiber optic based, internet, voice, and data services to area businesses. He also leads the company’s Fiber To The Home initiative, working to provide area residences with affordable, ultrahigh speed internet access.

Christopher has an extensive background in the cable & telecommunications industry with nearly 30 years of progressive leadership experience including General Manager, Vice President of Customer Care, and Director of Technical Operations with organizations including Time Warner Cable, Comcast, Frontier Communications, Lightyear Communications, and Global Crossing Ltd. His leadership experience also includes military service as an enlisted soldier, non-commissioned officer, cadet, and commissioned officer in The United States Army National Guard.

Christopher has an MBA in Telecommunications & Information Systems from the Rochester Institute of Technology, a Bachelor of Science in Business Administration from the University of Southern Mississippi, and an Associate Degree in Applied Science from Monroe Community College.

Christopher is active in the telecommunications industry and in our community serving as a member of the Kentucky Communications Network Authority (KCNA) Advisory Board, the Commonwealth Office of Technology’s (COT) Blockchain Working Group, and the Kentucky Municipal Utilities Association (KMUA) Telecommunications Committee. He is also the Chairman for the Cliff Hagan Boys & Girls Club Board of Trustees, an active Rotarian, a Board member of The Owensboro Rotary, and a proud Kentucky Colonel. He volunteers his time with many nonprofit organizations and has held numerous Board positions in the past including The Midwest Chapter of The Cable & Telecommunications Association for Marketing, Greater Owensboro Chamber of Commerce, Spencer County Regional Chamber of Commerce, Owensboro Symphony Orchestra, and Owensboro Parks Department Advisory Board.