Bob Freudenthal
Executive Director
Bob Freudenthal has been appointed Executive Director of the Tennessee Association of Utility Districts effective June, 2008. Mr. Freudenthal recently served as Deputy General Manager for the Hendersonville Utility District. Prior to his appointment as Deputy GM Bob served over twenty years as a Public Works Director for the cities of Hendersonville, TN and Paducah, KY. Mr. Freudenthal has served on the APWA Board of Directors for eight years serving as President in 2006. During his service on the Board of Directors Mr. Freudenthal served as Treasurer, Finance Committee Chair, Membership Committee Chair, Executive Committee member, and Nominating Committee member. He has also served on numerous charitable, civic, and community boards in the Hendersonville and Paducah areas. Bob currently serves as Chairman of the Hendersonville Regional Planning Commission. Mr. Freudenthal has BS in Business Management from Mid-Continent University.
Phone: 615-896-9022
Email: BobFreudenthal@taud.org
Penny Funk
Office Director
Penny Funk serves as TAUD’s Office Director. Responsible for overall management of office and administrative functions of the Association, human resources, financial monitoring, maintaining relationships with outside interested parties, and the oversight of Board of Directors meetings. Penny assists the Executive Director with special projects and directly supervises all administrative staff. She is a Dekalb County native and resides in Alexandria Tennessee with her husband Earl. Penny has been employed with TAUD since 1988 and is the longest standing employee of TAUD with over 30 plus years of service. Penny enjoys family, music, the Hallmark Channel, women’s basketball and cheering on her niece Madison and the DCHS Lady Tigers in her spare time.
Phone: 615.900.1019
Email: PennyFunk@taud.org
Beth Hardiman
Communications Manager/Meetings
Beth Hardiman obtained a BS in Public Relations from Middle Tennessee State University in 2001. She serves as the Association‘s Communications Manager and Meeting Planner. Beth is responsible for member services, public relations, event planning, commissioner training records, TAP training, conferences, and oversees TAUD’s website, social media sites and print publications as a contributing editor. She has been with the Association since 2002. Beth has two teenage children Reece and Bella and enjoys watching her son play golf, playing with her dogs, college football, and volunteering with the Haven in her spare time.
Phone: 615.900.1014
Email: BethHardiman@taud.org
Beth Foxworthy
Administrative Assistant
Beth Foxworthy serves as Administrative Assistant to the Association. She assists with training, office operations and has experience in bookkeeping, customer service and management. Beth and her husband Terry reside in Altamont. She has two grown sons JD and Hunter. Beth is a lover of animals, the outdoors, fishing, drag racing, billiards, the Chicago Bears and country singer Eric Church.
Phone: 615.900.1014
Email: BethFoxworthy@taud.org
Dorothy Penuel
Education Assistant
Dorothy Penuel serves as Education Assistant. She assists in training and as administrative support to our Education Director. Dorothy retired in 2021 from the Rutherford County Trustees Office after 31 years of service to the county. She resides in Lascassas and in her spare time enjoys spending time with family, CrossFit, live music venues, and spending time with her friends.
Phone: 615.900.1000
Email: dorothypenuel@taud.org
Carol Mims
Accountant/Bookkeeper
Carol Mims is the Accountant/Bookkeeper for Tennessee Association of Utility Districts and has been employed by TAUD since 2006. Carol is a Los Angeles, California native and has lived in Williamson County since 1995.
Phone: 615.900.1013
Email: CarolMims@taud.org
Kirk Smith
Director of Business Development
Kirk Smith serves as the Director of Business Development for TAUD and TUA, LLC. A Hendersonville Tennessee native with a diverse and extensive business background in both the marine and agriculture retail industry. Kirk served as Managing Principal Partner of Sumner County Tractor Inc., a John Deere Ag & Consumer Products Dealership in Hendersonville for 19 years. After college, Kirk spent 2 years with Nashville Boat Manufacture Hydra Sports and later founded SCT Marine. Prior to joining TAUD, Kirk worked for a pipe, valves and fittings distributor and an Insurance Pool Program. Kirk holds a Tennessee Insurance License.
Kirk has served on numerous boards and committees in and around the State of Tennessee. A past President of the Hendersonville Chamber of Commerce, a founding Member of the Hendersonville Kiwanis Club, a past Vol State College Trustee and served on the Sumner Regional Hospital Foundation. Currently, Kirk serves as a Vol Rep. and District Chairman for the UTK Tennessee Fund Scholarship Program. In his spare time, Kirk serves as the Public Address Announcer for Football and Basketball for Hendersonville High School. Married for 30 years, Kirk and his wife Janet have 2 children, Bailey & Jake.
Phone: 615.243.6490
Email: KirkSmith@taud.org
Brent Ogles
Education Director
Brent is Education Manager with the Association. He is responsible for developing and coordinating the technical training and assistance activities. Before coming to the Association in August 2008, Brent was Director of Tennessee’s Fleming Training Center and was responsible for water and wastewater operator certification and the training conducted by the State.
Phone: 615.556.6002
Email: BrentOgles@taud.org
Melanie Sain
Accounting Specialist
Melanie Sain is the Accounting Specialist for TAUD. She is responsible for maintaining municipal advisor filings, multi-state insurance producer applications, complex compliance issues, procedures and checklists, deadlines and continuing education requirements. Prior to working at TAUD, Melanie was a Senior Auditor with a CPA Firm in Nashville, TN for 17 years performing auditing, bookkeeping, consulting and tax services to many Utilities and Not-for-Profit Organizations in Tennessee. She has been a member of Tennessee Society of Association Executives and participated in Chamber of Commerce activities. Melanie is involved in specialized training for all aspects of running a Utility. A graduate of Middle Tennessee State University with a BA in Accounting, Melanie resides in Murfreesboro, TN. She volunteers with various organizations. In her spare time, she enjoys spending time with her two children, going to baseball games, reading, swimming and traveling!
Phone: 615.896.9022
Email: MelanieSain@taud.org
Don Scholes
General Counsel
Don Scholes became General Counsel of TAUD on March 27, 2017. Before coming to TAUD, Don was a partner in the firm of Branstetter, Stranch & Jennings, PLLC where he practiced utility law for 30 years. Before joining that firm, he was Assistant General Counsel of the Tennessee Public Service Commission (now Tennessee Regulatory Authority). Don has represented utility districts and municipal and county utilities across the State of Tennessee and has served as outside legal counsel for TAUD for many years. He was recognized by Best Lawyers in America as the 2013 Lawyer of the Year for Municipal Law in Nashville, Tennessee. He has been a frequent presenter at TAUD seminars and conferences on legal issues affecting utilities and is well-known by TAUD members.
Phone: 615.579.7569
Email: DonScholes@taud.org
John Greer
Program Manager
John previously spent 10 years with the Tennessee Comptroller of the Treasury and served as Assistant Director for the Division of Local Government Finance and the Technical Secretary to the Utility Management Review Board and the
Water and Wastewater Financing Board. John also served as part of the Comptroller’s Legislative Team and provided utility-related assistance to
legislators. John is a graduate of Martin Methodist College and received his Master of Accountancy from Lipscomb University. He is also credentialed as a Certified Fraud Examiner and a graduate of LEAD Tennessee. In his spare time, John enjoys hunting fishing, and golfing. John and his wife Kayci have one child John Tyler.
Phone: 615.944.3760
Email: JohnGreer@taud.org
Tony Wyatt
West Tennessee Circuit Rider/Field Supervisor
Tony has been the Water Circuit Rider for TAUD since 1991. He also serves as the Field Supervisor for the association. Prior to joining TAUD, Tony worked with the Huntingdon Utility Department for 10 years. As circuit rider, he provides technical assistance and training to water systems in West TN and the western portion of Middle TN that includes water treatment, distribution, compliance issues, computer skills, certification and other related areas.
Phone: 731.415.9101
Email: TonyWyatt@taud.org
Chris Ramsey
Middle Tennessee Circuit Rider
Prior to his career with TAUD, Chris worked in the utility industry for 26 years most recently with Jamestown Gas & Water for the last 10 years serving at their Chief Operator. He holds a Grade 4 Water Treatment license and under his leadership the city scored 100 on their sanity survey three years in a row. Chris will bring his knowledge of water treatment to aid systems in Middle TN. Chris and his wife Janie have three children Megan, Levi and Tanner. He’s a member of the Mt. Helen Baptist Church as well as a Mt. Helen Volunteer firefighter. In his spare time Chris enjoys spending time with his family, farming and fishing.
Phone: 931.397.0972
Email: ChrisRamsey@taud.org
Michael Keeton
Energy Efficiency Technician
Michael Keeton comes to TAUD from the Oneida Water Department where he was the chief water plant operator for the past 9 years. Prior to that he was a water plant operator at First Utility District of Knox County for 6 years and he began his water career at Huntsville Utility District in 1991. Mike holds a grade 4 water treatment license, a grade 2 distribution license and cross connection certification. He was the TAUD water operator of the year in 2014. He is a 1985 graduate of Scott County High School and a 2017 graduate of Middle Tennessee State University with a BS in communications. He has been an assistant high school football coach since 2011 and is currently the director of football operations for Oneida High School. In his spare time Mike enjoys working out, golf, good, friends, good food, and good music.
Phone: 865.660.6454
Email: MichaelKeeton@taud.org
JW (Justin) Griffin
Source Water Specialist
A resident of Dickson County, J.W. has many certifications that include: Grade 4 Water Treatment, Grade 4 Wastewater Treatment, Grade 2 Collection Systems and a Level 2 Voluntary Pretreatment. To aid in the operations of water and wastewater systems, he has a B.S. in Biology with a concentration in Environmental Science. J.W. enjoys hiking, fishing and camping. It is the love for the outdoors that sparked his interest in water and wastewater treatment. He welcomes the opportunity to provide on-site technical assistance with any issues or concerns a system may develop.
Phone: 731.819.2679
Email: JustinGriffin@taud.org
Dewayne Culpepper
Wastewater Circuit Rider
Dewayne Culpepper has been employed by the Tennessee Association of Utility Districts (TAUD) since 1990 as a wastewater technician providing on-site assistance for wastewater operators and managers. Dewayne was awarded the Wastewater Technician of the year from the National Rural Water Association in 1992. Prior to TAUD, Dewayne was the General Manager of Monteagle Utilities. Dewayne was also employed by Tullahoma Utilities Board as a Grade IV wastewater operator and then promoted to Water and Wastewater System Engineering Aid. Dewayne is a native of Tullahoma and resides in Estill Springs.
Phone: 931.607.6981
Email: DewayneCulpepper@taud.org
Greg Baker
Information Systems Technician
Greg has worked for TAUD since 1997. Prior to that, he worked 8 years for the Town of Huntingdon Water and Wastewater System. As a IT person for the association, he assists in designing and coordinating the development of integrated information system databases. He maintains the association website and assists other staff with computer issues. He also assists utility systems with computer issues and with the experience of working at a water and wastewater system can assist them with any related issues.
Phone: 731.225.5240
Email: GregBaker@taud.org
Kevin Gilliam
TAUD Training Station Instructor
Kevin is a native and resides in Sewanee, Tennessee, located in Franklin County. A graduate of Franklin County High School, Kevin began his career in 1986 at the Sewanee Utility District as a water treatment plant operator and progressed to General Manager before leaving in 2006. As the General Manager of the Sewanee Utility District he was responsible for the finances, water treatment, distribution, collection and wastewater treatment for the customers of the District. From 2006 to October 2008, he was the Utility Supervisor for the Town of Monteagle where he later became the Utility Director. Kevin joined the Sewanee Fire Department in 1981. He currently is a Captain and assists with the training of the Fire Department personnel with fire, vehicle extrication and high angle rescue. Kevin has been a licensed emergency medical technician with IV therapy (EMT-IV) in Tennessee since 1992.
Kevin enjoys spending as much time as possible with his children.
Phone: 931.636.1671
Email: KevinGilliam@taud.org
Stephanie Clark
Wastewater Technician
Stephanie resides in Chapel Hill with her husband Logan and 2 children, Alana and Royce. She possesses a Grade IV Wastewater Treatment License. Prior to joining TAUD, Stephanie was employed at the Town of Chapel Hill where she
served as the Operator in Charge of Wastewater Treatment. She has experience in multiple areas in wastewater treatment including laboratory analysis, biosolids, and industrial pretreatment. She is a graduate of Columbia State Community College, Stephanie holds an Associates of Science Degree concentrated in Chemistry. When not assisting operators in the State of Tennessee, Stephanie enjoys being outdoors with her family.
Phone: 931.993.0375
Email: StephanieClark@taud.org
Tim Ham
Tim has over 20 years of management experience in the utility industry. Most recently he formed his own business Southern T, LLC where he served as a consultant to public water utility districts in TN specializing in assisting financially distressed districts. Tim helped these utilities with financing, staffing and all operational matters. He is a graduate of Page High School in Franklin and furthered his education through the University of Phoenix and the TN Technology Center where he received an Aircraft Maintenance Airman Certificate. Tim holds a Distribution 2 license. He is passionate about flying and is a private pilot. Tim has a son Tanner who is a Senior at Columbia Academy and will attend Harding University in Searcy, AR in the fall as a member of the university’s fishing team. He attends the West 7th Church of Christ in Columbia and enjoys flying, golf and supporting Tanner’s activities in his spare time.
Phone: 615.557.5780
Email: TimHam@taud.org
Ethan Carter
Wastewater Technician
Ethan resides in Cookeville with his wife Holly and daughter Adelyn. He possesses a Grade IV Wastewater Treatment License and a Collection System II License. Prior to joining TAUD, Ethan was employed at the City of Dyersburg where he served as the Assistant Superintendent of Wastewater Treatment. He has experience in multiple areas in wastewater treatment including laboratory analysis, permit applications, biosolids, and industrial pretreatment. A Magna Cum Laude graduate of Middle Tennessee State University, Ethan holds a Bachelor of Science Degree concentrated in Engineering Technologies and Management. When not assisting operators in the State of Tennessee, Ethan enjoys playing music.
Phone: 731.676.1258
Email: EthanCarter@taud.org
Kevin Byrd
Workforce Development Coordinator
Phone: 423.215.3720
Email: KevinByrd@taud.org
Nathaniel Allsup
East Tennessee Circuit Rider
Nathaniel Allsup serves as Circuit Rider and comes to TAUD from the Town of White Pine where he served as the Public Works Director. Nathaniel holds a Grade 2 Water Treatment License, a Grade 3 Wastewater Treatment License, a Grade 2 Distribution License, a Grade 1 Collection License, and a Cross Connection Certification. He is a 2007 graduate of Jefferson County High School. Nathaniel resides in White Pine with his wife Shelby and son Grant. Nathaniel is a member of Leadvale Baptist Church and enjoys spending time with his family, golfing, and fishing.
Phone: 865.771.8480
Email: NathanielAllsup@taud.org
Patrick Dwyer
Wastewater Technician
Patrick Dwyer serves as Wastewater Technician for Middle and East Tennessee. Prior to joining TAUD in 2022, he worked for the Tennessee Department of Environment and Conservation since 2004. He most recently served as the Director of the Fleming Training Center. He also served as a Wastewater Treatment Plant Operator for the City of Murfreesboro where he obtained his Grade IV Wastewater and Grade II Collection System licenses. He has a Bachelor of Science degree in Biology from MTSU and was an honors graduate of the Tennessee Law Enforcement Training Academy. He currently resides in Rutherford County with his wife Erin and their three children, Lillie, Isaac, and Daniel.
Phone: 615.364.1847
Email: PatrickDwyer@taud.org
David Money
EPA Water Specialist
David Money serves as EPA Water Specialist. He brings more than 35 years of environmental experience from private industry and state government. He was employed by TDEC for almost 30 years, primarily in the Drinking Water Program. David’s primary role at TAUD will be to implement the EPA Training and Technical Programs Assistance for Small Public Water Systems and assist in TAUD’s water treatment and distribution system training classes. In his spare time David enjoys spending time with his grandsons, farming, the outdoors and riding and restoring dirt bikes.
Phone: 931.477.0963
Email: DavidMoney@taud.org
Brian Hazelet
Bio Coming Soon
Phone: 845.521.9760
Email: BrianHazelet@taud.org
TAUD’s mission is to provide the highest quality technical, legal and operational support to assist its members in delivering safe and efficient services in the public interest.