Page 16 - Mar-Apr2023 Vol40 No7

KINGSPORT By Calvin Clifton
PW Spotlight: Calvin Clifton

Tale of Two Careers: Public & Private

I grew up on a family farm in Hawkins from elected officials
County. We raised beef cattle and grew to engineering/public
vegetables, hay, and tobacco. I learned a lot works professionals,
on the farm about science and nature. My to citizens and utility
dad taught me to farm, weld and fabricate, customers. It is my job
service and repair equipment, and to to identify opportunities
prioritize and take care of business. for Mattern & Craig to
I was operating tractors and farm trucks assist clients and their
when I was 8 or 9 years old. I took these needs by providing
things for granted for many years, but I was dependable, safe,
blessed to be taught these things growing efficient infrastructure
up. My mother, my nephews and their and services to their
families still live on and operate the farms. citizens and customers.
I attended Northeast State earning an Every day is different.
A.A.S. degree and I earned a B.S. degree I attend a lot of
at East Tennessee State University. A meetings, such as public
life-long learner, I have taken various meetings, including
continuing education courses through the planning commissions,
years and received certification in Public city councils, and county
Works/Utilities from the University of commission meetings. I
Tennessee Municipal Technical Advisory meet almost daily with
Service (MTAS). clients, potential clients,
A Career in Public Works Transitions to and business groups.
I also serve on several
the Private Sector government affairs/
My career in Public Works began with relations committees
the City of Kingsport in the late 1980s, including the Tennessee Association and part-time staff in four states.
first working in the Traffic Department, of Utility Districts (TAUD) Legislative As a full-service firm, we are looking
and later in the Water/Wastewater Committee and the local governmental to assist clients with projects from the
Division. I was Public Works Director in committees at each of the Tri-Cities planning stages through construction. The
Athens until 2004 when I transitioned Chambers of Commerce. state Departments of Transportation
to the private sector and returned to the My wife, Leslie and I live in Kingsport are major clients. We do a great deal of
Tri-Cities. and we attend Mountain View United transportation work including roadway
Having worked with consulting Methodist Church. We have two grown design, traffic engineering, surveying,
engineers throughout my career, it was children, Megan (Collin) Napier and bridge and structural design, and
a fairly smooth transition and I liked Peyton (Lindsey) Clifton and three construction engineering and inspection
the fact that I could remain active in grandchildren, Llewyn, Kellen, and (CEI). Our largest client group is
APWA and stay in close contact with Ella. Leslie is a career middle school composed of local government clients
my colleagues across the state. Working teacher who teaches 6th grade Science made up of cities, towns, counties, and
for different engineering firms that at Ross N. Robinson Middle School utility districts.
operate in multiple states, I was able to in Kingsport. We enjoy family time, We currently have multiple bridge and
branch out and get to know other Public traveling, and spending time at the beach highway/traffic control design projects
Works professionals throughout the and the Lowcountry of South Carolina. underway throughout our service area
southeast. I presently work in Tennessee, and many utility projects, including
Virginia, North Carolina and South At Mattern & Craig (M&C) water distribution and treatment, and
Carolina. Mattern & Craig is a huge In my role as Business Development wastewater collection and treatment in the
supporter of APWA and encourages Manager with Mattern & Craig, I am planning, design, or construction phase.
involvement at the local, state, and responsible for all business development
national levels. and marketing activities for the firm. I Grateful for Solid Mentors
Serving in a business development work with all our offices to develop Along the Way
capacity allows me the opportunity relationships and pursue engineering and My career in Public Works began
to interact with folks in various roles, survey work in a broad array of disciplines in late summer 1988 with the City of
and clients. My division has both full-time
16 TPW March/April 2023