DON WALDON

Highlights

• More than 40 years experience managing federal and state natural resources and economic development projects
• First-hand knowledge of the federal budget and appropriations processes for water resource projects
  

Biography

Mr. Waldon comes to Dawson & Associates with more than 35 years experience in federal and state water resources issues. From 1984 to 2005, he was Administrator of the Tennessee-Tombigbee Waterway Development Authority, a four-state compact established by Congress to promote economic and trade development of the Tenn-Tom Waterway in Alabama, Kentucky, Mississippi, and Tennessee.  Prior to that, he served 9 years as the Authority’s Deputy Administrator.

Mr. Waldon’s experience isn’t limited to waterway issues.  During the Ford Administration, he was Deputy Assistant Secretary at the Interior Department, where he oversaw all land and water resource agencies. 

From 1966 to 1974, he served as a principal budget examiner at the Office of Management and Budget, overseeing the Army Corps of Engineers, the Interior Department and the TVA.

He has a degree in civil engineering from Mississippi State University and is married with four children and five grandchildren.

Other Achievements

• Outstanding Civilian Service Medal from the Department of the Army (2005)

• Silver Order of the de Fleury Medal from the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers (2005)

• Past President of Tennessee-Tombigbee Waterway Development Council  (1985-2005)

• Past Vice-Chairman of the National Waterways Conference, Inc., the premier national trade association concerned with water transportation (2002-2004)

• Former U.S. Commissioner and Vice President of the Permanent International Association of Navigational Congresses, an international organization (1992-1995)

• Gubernatorial representative on the Southern Governors Association’s Task Force of Transportation (1996)

• Past Chairman of the Water Resources Congress, the nation’s oldest natural resource trade association (1990-1992)