The Hopkinsville Water Environment Authority has announced the promotion of Melissa Sellers Spurr to General Manager, effective October 1.
Spurr has served HWEA for more than a decade, most recently as Chief Operating Officer and previously as Director of Finance and Business. She has been credited with strengthening operations, ensuring financial sustainability, and guiding long-term planning.
HWEA Board Chair Jim Blair said the Board is confident in her leadership after working closely with her for 13 years, noting that she has demonstrated the skills needed to continue advancing the authority’s mission.
Her appointment follows the retirement announcement of longtime General Manager Derrick Watson, who will officially conclude his service on December 31 after a distinguished career in public utilities. Spurr will oversee the transition and continue HWEA’s work in providing safe drinking water, compliant wastewater treatment, and natural gas service to Hopkinsville.
Spurr said she is honored to lead the organization and described HWEA as having a long legacy of service and innovation that she intends to continue.
With more than 20 years of experience in local government and public utilities, Spurr joined HWEA in 2013 and has led efforts in budgeting, capital planning, utility rate modeling, procurement, and financial reporting. She holds degrees in accounting and business administration from Kentucky Wesleyan College and is certified through the Kentucky Rural Water Association’s Utility Management Institute.
Beyond her professional role, Spurr has served in leadership positions with the Hopkinsville-Christian County Chamber of Commerce, the Pennyrile Arts Council, and United Way. She was also named the community’s Young Professional of the Year in 2019.
For more information, contact HWEA at 270-892-7036 or mspurr@hwea-ky.com.
