Central States Water Resources promotes Spencer Hoppes to finance and IT role

Central States Water Resources has promoted Spencer Hoppes to assistant vice president of finance and information technology as the utility expands its footprint across 11 states. The move underscores how CSWR is pairing financial leadership with technology investments to support acquisitions, reporting and infrastructure growth.

Why it matters: - The promotion puts a finance and technology leader in a broader role as Central States Water Resources keeps scaling its water and wastewater operations. - CSWR is using financial planning, reporting and technology to support acquisitions, system integrations and infrastructure investment. - The company’s growth affects more than 500,000 customers across 11 states.

What happened: - Central States Water Resources promoted Spencer Hoppes to assistant vice president of finance and information technology. - Hoppes joined CSWR in 2020. - In the new role, Hoppes will continue providing information technology services while taking on broader executive responsibilities. - Those responsibilities include investor reporting, budgeting, internal reporting and financial benchmarking. - The promotion was announced August 3, 2026.

The details: - CSWR says Hoppes has helped shape the financial strategy behind the company’s accelerated growth. - Hoppes has supported financial planning, forecasting, executive reporting and analytical capabilities. - Hoppes has also worked on acquisitions, systems and platform integrations, and long-term strategic planning. - The company says Hoppes has helped use emerging AI capabilities and new enterprise software to improve operational efficiency and field operations. - Brent Thies, senior vice president of accounting and finance, said Hoppes has been instrumental in building the financial and operational foundation behind CSWR’s growth. - Thies said Hoppes has a unique ability to translate complex financial data into strategic business decisions. - Thies also said Hoppes helps advance CSWR’s mission to revitalize water and wastewater infrastructure. - Hoppes has nearly 15 years of experience in financial planning, accounting, analytics, budgeting, forecasting, executive reporting and business modeling. - Hoppes earned an MBA and a bachelor’s degree from Southern Illinois University Edwardsville.

Between the lines: - The promotion signals CSWR is elevating leaders who can connect finance, technology and operations as the company keeps buying and integrating utilities. - CSWR has grown from operating a handful of systems in one state in 2014 to becoming the 10th largest investor-owned water and wastewater utility in the U.S. - The company now owns and operates more than 1,000 regulated systems serving nearly 500,000 customers in Arizona, Arkansas, Florida, Kentucky, Louisiana, Mississippi, Missouri, North Carolina, South Carolina, Tennessee and Texas. - CSWR says it is the nation’s largest owner and operator of domestic wastewater treatment systems. - CSWR says it has completed more acquisitions since 2019 than the next five investor-owned utilities combined.

What’s next: - Hoppes will help lead investor reporting, budgeting and benchmarking as CSWR continues its growth strategy. - CSWR is likely to keep leaning on technology and operational integration to support future acquisitions and infrastructure work. - Hoppes said he is excited to help position CSWR for its next chapter of growth.

The bottom line: - CSWR is promoting from within to keep pace with rapid expansion and a heavier mix of finance, data and technology demands.