Executive Leadership Team

Louisville Water Company’s Executive Leadership Team (ELT) includes the President & CEO, Vice Presidents, and the Local 1683 Union President.

Together, this team sets strategic priorities, manages daily operations, and ensures that customers always have access to high-quality Louisville Pure Tap®.

Spencer Bruce, PE
President and CEO Arrow Down - Opens Description

President/CEO Mr. Bruce is a graduate of the University of Kentucky with a bachelor’s degree in Mechanical Engineering. He is licensed as a Professional Engineer with over 29 years of professional experience joining the Company in 2006. Mr. Bruce is a member of the American Water Works Association, Association of Metropolitan Water Agencies, and the Kentucky Society of Professional Engineers.

He is also active in his local church having held multiple leadership positions. He graduated from Leadership Louisville and Leadership Kentucky. He currently serves on the following Boards: Louisville Water Foundation, Greater Louisville Inc., ORSANCO, Louisville/Jefferson County Information Consortium, Louisville Labor Management Committee, and the University of Kentucky Mechanical Engineering Advisory Board.

Dave Vogel
Executive Vice President Arrow Down - Opens Description

Mr. Vogel is responsible for Safety, Customer Service, Metering & Billing, and Distribution Operations. Mr. Vogel is a graduate of the University of Maryland where he earned a Bachelor of Science Degree in Mechanical Engineering, as well as an MBA. Mr. Vogel has spent the last 30 years in the utility business.

He is the current Board Chair of the Better Business Bureau, an Executive Board Member for the Kentucky Derby Festival, a Board Member for the Water Customer Care Forum, and a graduate of Leadership Louisville and Leadership Kentucky.

Tim Kraus, PE
Vice President Production Operations and Chief Engineer Arrow Down - Opens Description

Mr. Kraus has over 37 years of engineering experience in the water and wastewater industry. Mr. Kraus received his Bachelor of Science and Master of Engineering degrees from the University of Louisville. He worked six years at Louisville Metropolitan Sewer District and 27 years as a consultant for municipal water and wastewater clients. Mr. Kraus is a member of the American Water Works Association.

He has received several awards, most recently the Kentucky Society of Professional Engineers (KSPE) award for Outstanding Achievement in Government. His accolades also include the KSPE President’s Award for Outstanding Performance in the Engineering Profession and the Kentucky/Tennessee Water Environment Federation Arthur Sidney Bedell Award. Mr. Kraus has served on the Kentucky State Plumbing Code Committee and is a former mayor of a sixth class city in Jefferson County, Kentucky.

Kelley Dearing Smith
Vice President, Communications and Marketing Arrow Down - Opens Description

In her 23-year career at the company, Ms. Smith has developed strategic partnerships and communication efforts that focus on building the utility’s brand. She directs Louisville Water’s  internal and external communications, brand development, education, public affairs, and economic development efforts.

Ms. Smith authored a book highlighting Louisville Water’s history and oversaw the development of the “WaterWorks Museum” at the company’s 1860 original pumping station. Prior to working with the utility , Ms. Smith worked in television news. She is Chair of the American Water Works Association’s Public Affairs Council and frequently speaks to utilities and organizations on best-practices for branding and communication. She holds a Bachelor of Arts in Broadcast Journalism from Eastern Kentucky University.

Terrence T. Spence
Vice President, Human Resources and Labor Relations Arrow Down - Opens Description

Mr. Spence directs all human resource department functions including corporate strategy implementation, policies, procedures, benefits, adherence to Equal Employment Opportunity, and other regulatory compliance. He has provided human resources leadership to various past local and regional employers including WHAS-TV/WVEC-TV/WBIR-TV, Coca-Cola Enterprises, High Speed Access (now Spectrum Communications), and Kentucky Higher Education Student Loan Corporation.

Mr. Spence has over 20 years in the human resources profession and is a member of the National Society of Human Resources Managers. A native of Louisville, Mr. Spence grew up in the city’s West End. He graduated from the University of Louisville with a Bachelor’s Degree in Communications. He sits on the board of directors for the Louisville Water Foundation, Family & Children’s Place, and volunteers as a mentor with local public schools.

Michael Tigue
Vice President, Regulatory Compliance, Risk, Security, and General Counsel Arrow Down - Opens Description

Mr. Tigue is responsible for the administration and oversight of all internal and external legal services, regulatory compliance, risk, and security administration provided to the company. Mr. Tigue holds a Bachelor of Arts in Psychology from the University of Louisville and a Juris Doctor from the University of Notre Dame. Prior to joining Louisville Water, Mr. Tigue began practice at Greenebaum Doll & McDonald, PLLC in 1999 followed by 14 years as a Member of Middleton Reutlinger, both in Louisville, Kentucky. At Middleton Reutlinger, Mr. Tigue’s practice focused on all aspects of land use and development, including complex real property transactions, general commercial and real property litigation, eminent domain, planning and zoning as well as municipal and administrative agency representation.

Mr. Tigue has been recognized by Chambers USA® 2008-2015 as a leading lawyer in real estate and zoning in Kentucky, by The Best Lawyers in America® 2012-2015 in commercial and municipal litigation, Kentucky Super Lawyers® 2012, 2013 and 2015 in commercial litigation and municipal litigation, and by Louisville Magazine’s Top Lawyers 2012-2014 in real estate law and land use and zoning law.

Lynn Pearson, CPA
Vice President, Finance and Treasurer Arrow Down - Opens Description

Ms. Pearson directs all finance-related functions including accounting, accounts payable, payroll, budget and rates, and procurement. Ms. Pearson is a Certified Public Accountant, graduating from the University of Kentucky with a Bachelor’s Degree in Accounting and an MBA. Prior to joining the company, Ms. Pearson spent 18 years with Community Newspaper Holdings, Inc. a large, privately owned media company headquartered in Alabama, serving as its Executive Vice President & CFO.

She has also worked in banking and public accounting. She is a member of the American Water Works Association, the American Institute of CPAs, and the Kentucky Society of CPAs. Ms. Pearson is also a board member and treasurer of the Louisville Water Foundation.

Adam Carter, AFSCME
Local 1683 President Arrow Down - Opens Description

Mr. Carter, who joined Louisville Water in 2000, is the lead negotiator and chair for Local 1683. He is responsible for union employee grievances and represents union membership in company-wide meetings. He is the ‘voice’ for more than 150 union members. Mr. Carter currently serves as treasurer for the Louisville Labor Management Committee in addition to serving as Vice President of AFSCME 962, the regional board for state and county municipal employees.

He also serves on the Heavy Equipment, Science, and Diesel Tech Board at Fairdale High School in Jefferson County, which fosters a program that teaches students valuable trade skills with hands-on learning courses. Mr. Carter spearheaded the Jimmy Stone Memorial Golf Scramble in honor of a fallen employee. The annual tournament benefits the Jimmy Stone Memorial Locker Room at Neighborhood House in Portland.

Jeff Knott
Vice President, Chief Information Officer Arrow Down - Opens Description

Mr. Knott was previously the IT director for Louisville Water starting in 2019. Mr. Knott has held several IT leadership positions in various business segments including both domestic and global responsibilities. He is a graduate of Troy University with a bachelor’s degree in Information Technology. He holds an MBA from Bowling Green State University. Mr. Knott has worked over 35 years in the field of information technology.