Chris Caldwell
Knoxville,TN
Summary
Proven advocacy leader with more than 20 years of leadership roles in the nuclear, chemical, and forest products industries. Experienced strategist in employee communications, government relations, crisis communications, media relations, philanthropic giving and partnerships. An effective, involved business partner.
Overview
26
26
years of professional experience
Work History
Deputy Director
United Cleanup Oak Ridge, LLC
Oak Ridge, Tenn.
02.2022 - Current
- Company Overview: Environmental cleanup contractor on 10-year, $8.3 billion U.S. Department of Energy contract.
- Recruited to lead a 12-person team for a 2,100-employee environmental cleanup contractor on a 10-year, $8.3 billion U.S. Department of Energy contract.
- Responsible for employee communications, video services, media relations, websites, events, tours, community relations and workforce development partnership initiatives.
- Maintain DOE “Classified” security clearance.
- Earned Knoxville News Sentinel “Top Workplaces” designation 2022-24, and “Training Culture Award” in 2022 and 2023, and USA TODAY's "Top Workplaces USA Award in 2024.
Government & Community Relations Manager
Savannah River Nuclear Solutions, LLC
Aiken, S.C.
04.2018 - 02.2022
- Company Overview: Produces nuclear materials for national defense at U.S Department of Energy’s Savannah River Site.
- Led five-member community relations team for Savannah River Nuclear Solutions, LLC at U.S Department of Energy’s Savannah River Site.
- Maintained DOE “Classified” security clearance; oversaw $1.4 million annual budget, public tours and offsite corporate office building.
- Maintained relationships with local, state and federal elected officials and community stakeholders.
- Responsible for $1 million in annual philanthropic giving in both South Carolina and Georgia, including employee volunteerism and oversight of the company’s $1 million annual United Way Campaign.
- Led the employee engagement survey and strategy for SRNS to earn the “2021 Best Places to Work in South Carolina” honors.
Senior Manager, State Government Relations Team
DuPont
Richmond, Virginia
03.2014 - 03.2018
- Company Overview: A science and technology company that brings world-class innovations in various industries.
- Promoted to lead eight government affairs managers, support staff, and five contract lobbyist firms on DuPont’s state-level lobbying advocacy, public policy, and business development initiatives..
- Scope included 200 manufacturing and research facilities, with 35,000 employees in 40 states and Puerto Rico.
Senior Manager, Government Relations
DuPont
Richmond, Virginia
01.2016 - 01.2018
- Company Overview: A science and technology company that brings world-class innovations in various industries.
- Responsible for local, state and federal legislative and regulatory affairs activities during 2016-18 DowDuPont merger for 33 DuPont plant facilities and businesses in Virginia, Tennessee, North Carolina, South Carolina, Ohio, Pennsylvania, West Virginia, Illinois and Kentucky.
- Led government relations process for land transfer of former x-ray film manufacturing plant to state of North Carolina at DuPont State Recreational Forest in North Carolina, a $4 million annual cost savings for company.
- Strategic economic development plan for former plant property outside Nashville.
- Member of La Porte Chemical Release Investigation Team.
Southeast Region Government Relations Manager
DuPont
Richmond, Virginia
01.2006 - 01.2014
- Company Overview: A science and technology company that brings world-class innovations in various industries.
- Promoted to direct legislative and political advocacy in Virginia, Tennessee, North Carolina, South Carolina, Florida, Georgia, Mississippi, and Alabama.
- The region included 24 manufacturing plants, 6,300 employees, and headquarters for two company business units, and two joint venture businesses..
- Secured economic incentives on $500 million Kevlar plant in South Carolina.
- Led 2010 lobbying efforts to pass new brownfields cleanup law in Virginia.
- Lobbying success in North Carolina captured $5 million in state incentives for a new 10-mile natural gas pipeline to replace oil-fired boilers (DuPont’s largest global air-emission reduction success in 2011) to support $100 million in solar panel material manufacturing plant investments.
Corporate Communications Manager
DuPont
Richmond, Virginia
01.2003 - 01.2006
- Company Overview: A science and technology company that brings world-class innovations in various industries.
- Responsible for media relations, employee communications and community affairs for 18 DuPont manufacturing facilities and 6,000 employees in Tennessee, Alabama, Georgia, Florida, Iowa, North Carolina, South Carolina; two Puerto Rico facilities; and crisis communications for seven additional states.
- Led public affairs strategy to secure community support and state construction permit approval for $100 million biotech manufacturing plant near Knoxville, Tennessee.
- Provided strategic communications counsel to business executives, including the development of key messages for layoffs, production issues, transportation incidents, and proactive media placement.
Mill Communications Senior Manager
International Paper
Memphis, Tennessee
01.2001 - 01.2003
- Company Overview: The world’s largest paper, packaging forest products company.
- Promoted to Communications Lead Team; led five-member team and $800,000 annual budget focused on employee engagement, labor relations and communications audits at seven paper mills.
Regional Public Affairs Manager
International Paper
Raleigh, North Carolina
01.1999 - 01.2001
- Company Overview: The world’s largest paper and forest products company.
- Promoted to governmental relations role in North Carolina and Virginia, overseeing political contributions, lobbying, regulatory affairs and media spokesperson duties for three paper mills, 33 manufacturing facilities, and 1 million acres of forestland.
- Approved $800,000 in annual state and federal contributions as board member of company Political Action Committee.
- Managed $500,000 budget and $2 million in Hurricane Floyd relief in 1999.
Education
Six Sigma Green Belt -
01.2011
LEAD Virginia -
01.2008
Leadership Development Program -
Center for Creative Leadership
01.2002
Power Through Influence -
Wharton School of Business
01.2001
BACHELOR OF ARTS - Communications Studies
Eastern Illinois University
Charleston, Illinois12-1987
Skills
- Executive Communications
- Integrated Communications Planning & Content
- Employee Engagement
- Government, Media and Stakeholder Relations
- Crisis Communications
- Stakeholder Partnerships
Awards
- Distinguished Alumni Award, Eastern Illinois University, 10/05/24
- Energy Efficiency Team Project Award, American Chemistry Council, 2012
- Arkansas Governor’s Community Service Award, 07/99
- Arkansas Jaycees Top 10 Outstanding Young Arkansan Award, 02/98
Leadership Experience
- Board of Directors, Southern Carolina Economic Development Alliance, 2018-2022
- Board of Directors, North Carolina Manufacturers Alliance, 2015-2018
- Board of Directors, Richmond Convention & Visitors Bureau, 2014-2018
- Board of Directors, Virginia Chamber of Commerce, 2011-2018
- Board of Directors, Eastern Illinois University Alumni Association, 2009-2014
- Board President, Communities in Schools of Arkansas, 1997-1999
Timeline
Deputy Director
United Cleanup Oak Ridge, LLC
02.2022 - Current
Government & Community Relations Manager
Savannah River Nuclear Solutions, LLC
04.2018 - 02.2022
Senior Manager, Government Relations
DuPont
01.2016 - 01.2018
Senior Manager, State Government Relations Team
DuPont
03.2014 - 03.2018
Southeast Region Government Relations Manager
DuPont
01.2006 - 01.2014
Corporate Communications Manager
DuPont
01.2003 - 01.2006
Mill Communications Senior Manager
International Paper
01.2001 - 01.2003
Regional Public Affairs Manager
International Paper
01.1999 - 01.2001
Six Sigma Green Belt -
LEAD Virginia -
Leadership Development Program -
Center for Creative Leadership
Power Through Influence -
Wharton School of Business
BACHELOR OF ARTS - Communications Studies
Eastern Illinois University
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