Tim Lyons
General Manager
Tim Lyons was named General Manager of Owensboro Municipal Utilities on April 1, 2022. Before this, he was the Director of Delivery for OMU. He joined OMU as a 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 with 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 Team Leader of Line Construction and Maintenance where he managed Kentucky Utilities line crews throughout western Kentucky.
Tim earned his Bachelor of Science from the University of Evansville, majoring in Electrical Engineering. In addition, he graduated from the LGE Leadership class in 2002. He serves on the Southeastern Reliability Corporation (SERC) Board of Directors, the SERC Nominating and Governance Committee, and the Greater Owensboro Economic Development Corporation Board of Directors. He 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 a past City Council Member for the City of Lewisport. Russ is a graduate of Leadership Owensboro.
Laura Chapman
Director Of Finance & Accounting
Laura Chapman joined OMU in 2011 as Senior Financial and Budget Accountant before being named Manager of Planning in 2021. She became Director of Finance and Accounting in April 2024.
Laura earned her MBA from Webster University in 1998 and a Bachelor of Science in Business Administration Degree, majoring in Accounting in 1993, from the University of Louisville.
Before joining the OMU team, she served as Senior Financial Analyst at Louisville Gas and Electric/Kentucky Utility Services Company from 2000 until 2011.
She is a 2016 graduate of the Greater Owensboro Chamber of Commerce Leadership Owensboro program and completed the OMU Management Development Program in 2016.
Chapman, a Louisville native, moved to Owensboro with her husband and son in 2011 and became active in our community and their church. She is currently chairing the Owensboro Health Twin Lakes Medical Center board of directors and serving on the Owensboro Health board of directors, including finance committee vice-chair. Laura is a past chair and treasurer of the Girls Inc. of Owensboro-Daviess County board of trustees and is currently serving on the Executive Committee. In addition, she was a member of the board of directors and Finance and Fund Development Committee Co-Chair from 2016 through 2018 for Court Appointed Special Advocates (CASA) of Ohio Valley.
Brad Howton
Director of Customer & Shared Services
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.