Leadership - Paris Board of Public Utilities

The Paris Board of Public Utilities is comprised of over 75 employees who are led by an executive leadership team and governed by a five member board of directors.

Paris BPU Executive Leadership

Terry Wimberley

President & CEO

Wimberley joined the Paris Board of Public Utilities in December of 1990 after graduating from Murray State University with a Bachelors Degree in Electrical Engineering Technology. He began his tenure at Paris BPU as an Assistant Project Manager before transitioning to the Water/Wastewater Engineering Aide role in 2003. From there, Wimberley was named Director of Water and Wastewater in 2004 and served in that role until October of 2016. During his time as Director of Water and Wastewater, he obtained his MBA from Bethel University. In October of 2016, after serving as Assistant General Manager for a little over 2 years, Wimberley was named Paris BPU General Manager. With the transition to Paris Utility Authority in July 2020, Wimberley’s title was changed to President & CEO.

Wimberley is very active at both the local and state level, serving on a wide variety of Boards and Associations including the Western District Managers Association where he serves as President. Additionally, he is the Current Vice President and President Elect of the Tennessee Municipal Electric Association along with being an active member of Tennessee Valley Public Power Association. Locally, Wimberley serves as the Secretary of the Henry County Planning Commission and is a Board Member of the Paris Henry County Industrial Committee. Wimberley is an alumni of Leadership Henry County and the WestStar Leadership Program as well as an active member of Paris Lakeway Kiwanis. Most recently, Wimberley was appointed by Governor Haslam in 2018 to a seat on the TN Board of Water Quality, Oil, and Gas.

Tony Brown

Vice President – Water and Wastewater Services

Brown joined the Paris Board of Public Utilities in March of 2011 as an Engineering Aide/Storeroom Keeper in the Water Department. In October 2016, Brown assumed his current role as Director of Water and Wastewater Services. Prior to Paris BPU Brown worked at Dana Corporation as the Senior Cost Estimator in the accounting department. While at Paris BPU Brown has earned his TDEC Grade II Distribution System Operator and TDEC Grade II Collections Systems Operator Certifications.

Brown was born and raised in Henry County and is raising his two daughters here with his wife, Jennifer. He was an honors graduate of Henry County High School in 1990 and a 1995 graduate of Bethel University with a degree in Business Administration.

Bethany Edwards

Vice President – Administration and Finance

Edwards joined Paris Board of Public Utilities in 2002 as a part-time cashier and moved to a full-time position in 2005. In 2006, Edwards became a Customer Service Representative. She moved into the Accounting Department in 2007 as an Office Accountant. In 2013, Edwards took on the role of Assistant Business Manager. She was promoted to Head of Accounting in December 2017. Edwards assumed her current role as Vice President, Administration and Finance in January 2021. Her long tenure and varied experience with our utility make Edwards a valuable asset to our utility.

Edwards is a lifelong resident of Henry County. She holds an undergraduate degree in Finance from Murray State University (2004) and a Masters degree in Business Administration from Bethel University (2011). Through the Tennessee Public Power Association, Edwards completed Certified Utility Accountant training in 2010 and received Utility Human Resources Certification in 2021.

Brian Horton

Vice President – Electric Operations

Horton joined the Paris Board of Public Utilities full-time in November of 1998 as an Apprentice Lineman. In 2002, Horton became a Journeyman Lineman and in 2013, became a Line Crew Foreman. In 2017, Horton was promoted to General Foreman. After the transition to Paris Utility Authority in July 2020, Horton was promoted to Vice President of Electric Operations.

Horton is a long-time resident of Paris and Henry County. He and his wife Leigh Ann have a son Balin, who is also a lineman and have two daughters, Maura and Landry. Horton is an avid outdoors-man and when not working, can be found hunting, fishing or on the lake with his family.

Cole Edwards

Vice President – Engineering & Metering

Edwards joined the Paris Board of Public Utilities part-time in January of 2003 in our Electric Department. In 2008, Edwards became a full-time Electric Utility Engineer. In 2013, Edwards was promoted to Director of Electric Operations & Maintenance. After the transition to Paris Utility Authority in July 2020, Edwards was promoted to Vice President of Engineering & Metering.

Edwards was born and raised in Henry County. He attended the University of Tennessee at Martin, earning his degree in Engineering in 2009. When not working, he can be found on the lake or grilling his famous pork chops, wings, and bologna.