Editor’s note: CAP employees have unique backgrounds and experiences, shaping us as an organization and reflecting the diverse communities we serve. Al Hawes joined CAP in November 2025 as the supervisor of Mark Wilmer Pumping Plant.
Last year, Central Arizona Project was in need of a new supervisor at Mark Wilmer Pumping Plant in Lake Havasu. Al Hawes stepped up to the plate.
Al has more than 30 years of experience working with similar equipment and infrastructure in the U.S. Navy. Today he puts those skills to work, overseeing the crew at CAP’s largest pumping plant and ensuring water is diverted from the Colorado River and sent through the rest of the 336-mile canal system.
Along the way, he found camaraderie with a team focused on the same mission.
“It’s a sense of family, everyone working together to complete the mission of making water deliveries to all the [water users] that rely on us to deliver that vital resource,” Hawes says. “That’s not that different than what I used to do, that’s why I like working here.”
Maintenance Manager Steven Romero says Hawes is always prepared and has positively impacted his team’s culture and the plant’s equipment reliability over the last six months.
“Al’s greatest strength is his ability to build trust within his team, while at the same time, setting expectations for employees and pushing them to be the best that they can be,” Steven says. “I am fortunate to have found a supervisor so invested in fostering a team environment, where continuous improvement is expected.”
When he’s not at Mark Wilmer, you can find Hawes sharpening his skills as a marksman, off-roading in his Maverick X3 or spending quality time with his family.
KRA: Workforce
Being a premier employer that attracts and retains an exceptional and diverse workforce