New president for Water Coalition
Jo Karr Tedder is stepping down as president of the Central Texas Water Coalition. The nonprofit's board elected Tom Harrison as her replacement on Oct. 26. Staff photo by Nathan Bush
The Central Texas Water Coalition Board of Directors elected Tom Harrison as the organization’s new president on Thursday, Oct. 26, following the announced departure of outgoing President Jo Karr Tedder.
Tedder is one of five founding members of the nonprofit water advocacy group. She served as its president since its inception in 2011.
“Jo Karr will be missed after all her years of service,” CTWC Executive Director Shannon Hamilton told DailyTrib.com. “We wish her all the best,”
Tedder’s decision to leave was motivated by family and medical issues, Hamilton said.
“I know she’s been thinking about (stepping down) for quite some time,” she said. “This was the right time for her.”
Hamilton believes Harrison will be the perfect fit for the organization’s mission. The Central Texas Water Coalition advocates for policies to preserve and protect the Highland Lakes.
“This is a great transition time for us,” she said. “If I could have handpicked anybody, he would have been the guy I picked.”
Harrison is another of the group’s five founding members. He served on the board from 2011-17 before leaving the position for health reasons.
“He’s excited to come back on the board and serve as president,” Hamilton said. “We are thrilled to have him.”
Harrison was also an original member of the 2008 Lower Colorado River Authority Water Management Stakeholder Group.
“He has an older relationship with LCRA than even CTWC does,” Hamilton said. “There’s nobody that knows the water management plan better than Tom.”
Hamilton believes Harrison’s prior experience working with the LCRA will pay dividends for the coalition as LCRA leadership updates its water management plan in 2025.
“We’re looking to work through this upcoming water management plan and build relationships between CTWC and LCRA so we can make sure we have a sustainable future for water in Central Texas,” she said. “I believe Tom is the guy that will guide us there.”