Adam Caldwell brings more than a decade of experience in government relations, agricultural policy, economic development, and strategic partnerships to his new role leading the Partnership and Foundation's efforts on behalf of North Carolina's farmers and rural communities.

 

Caldwell spent nearly eight years as a regional representative in the office of US Senator Thom Tillis, covering a 39-county region of Eastern North Carolina. In that role, he engaged directly with government officials, policymakers, and key stakeholders across a wide range of policy areas, including agriculture, economic development, infrastructure, transportation, and military affairs, giving him a firsthand understanding of how decisions made in Washington and Raleigh affect the people working the land across North Carolina.

 

Most recently, Caldwell served as a Business Development Representative at WithersRavenel, one of the state's premier engineering and planning firms, where he worked across Eastern North Carolina helping local governments navigate infrastructure investment, grant funding, disaster recovery, and other long-term planning challenges. He built lasting relationships with elected officials, county managers, public works directors, and utility leaders across the region and the state.

 

Caldwell is a veteran of the North Carolina Army National Guard, where he served as a sergeant. He will begin serving as a Johnston County Commissioner in December 2026 and is active in his community through the Benson Area Chamber of Commerce, the Johnston County Farm Bureau, and the American Legion. Caldwell is a fellow of both Leadership North Carolina and the North Carolina Leadership Forum.

 

Caldwell holds a Master of Public Administration from the UNC School of Government and a Bachelor of Science in Political Science and History from East Carolina University, where he graduated Magna Cum Laude. He grew up in Newton Grove and attended Hobbton High School. He lives in Benson with his wife, Sarah, and their three children.