Kathy HawesA Tennessee nonprofit dedicated to healing and protecting waters in the state publicly announced a new executive director Tuesday afternoon.
Kathy Hawes will lead the Tennessee Clean Water Network, replacing long-time director Renee Hoyos who took a leave of absence to run an election campaign for Tennessee's 2nd Congressional District.
"We have high expectations for our new ED," according to a statement from Tony Dolle, President and Chair of the TCWN Board of Directors."But I don't think they're even as high as her own. We love her energy and vision, and we're confident that TCWN has a very bright future."
Hawes was the vice president of an environmental products manufacturer for a decade and spent five years with Mississippi River Collaborative. She is a 1996 University of Tennessee at Knoxville graduate and holds an MBA in project management. She has lived in the Knoxville area for most of her life.
TCWN has tackled corporate pollution, protected over 100 acres of wetlands and provided hundreds of water bottle refill stations in schools and parks, according to a release.
The organization was founded in 2000.
"I've always had a head for business and a heart for service. Leading an amazing organization like TCWN is a dream come true," Hawes said via a statement.