Erik Caldwell Email & Phone Number

San Diego, Ca, Us

As the Head of Transformation, I spearhead strategic initiatives to enhance operational excellence. My role involves designing and implementing innovative solutions, optimizing processes and resource strategies, and driving the adoption of automation and analytics. I lead the development and execution of transformative strategies focused on innovation and continuous improvement, aligning these initiatives with the Cubic’s strategic goals and customer service. Partnering with operational leadership, I work to transform the operating model, leveraging advanced technologies like ML, AI, LLMs, and RPA. My responsibilities include ensuring scalable, efficient solutions that meet business and customer needs, redesigning the operating model to improve efficiency, reduce costs, and enhance service quality, and supporting organizational design to align with strategic and business objectives.

Out of stealth mode in December 2023* I’m leading an early-stage generative AI firm that’s going to overhaul the $21 billion government reporting industry.

San Diego, California, Us

I was initially brought into The Atlas (a division of GovExec, which had been bought recently by PE firm Growth Catalyst Partners) to design and execute a data strategy for several newly acquired companies as a part of their buy/build strategy. It was in this role that I first extensively applied generative AI and machine learning to both client-facing products, as well as to internal processes.I led a team of data scientists, data engineers, software engineers and visualization experts to develop a commercial product that used AI and ML to predict upcoming RFPs in the SLED market. I first conceptualized this product in partnership with the founding team, then led it from initial MVP all the way through to commercialization. The product secured nearly 100 clients in its first 18 months, including large enterprises like Carahsoft, Verizon and NetApp.During the same time, I also led the integration efforts of two newly acquired data companies. One of the companies was 20+ years old with an outdated techstack and had a team of full-time US-based researchers and QA engineers required to work nights, holidays and weekends in order to release data to clients on time. Through the application of automation, AI and near-shoring, I secured a 60% cost reduction in the year after acquisition while maintaining service levels and leaving renewal rates unaffected. Another newly acquired company had extensive offshore operations in the Philippines and India. Through contract consolidation, documentation and automation, I secured a 15% cost reduction in the year following acquisition.In this role I used generative AI, machine learning, elastic search, snowflake, and python extensively, often building prototypes on my own before handing them to my team to develop further. I was initially brought on as a Director in 2021 and promoted to Vice President in 2022.

San Diego, Ca, Us

Under my leadership, I led a cross departmental team focused on increasing the energy and water efficiency of facilities, furthering the use of renewable energy, expanding transit and alternative mobility options, diverting waste away from landfills, and preparing the city for the impacts of climate change. As a result of these efforts, the sustainability team was recognized nationally and internationally as an innovator in exploring how technology, renewable energy, mobility, climate resilience, and creative financing can accelerate San Diego's transition into a post-carbon future.

San Diego, Ca, Us

It was an honor to serve on Mayor Kevin Faulconer’s executive team as Deputy Chief Operating Officer. In this role, I oversaw the daily operations of the Smart and Sustainable Communities Branch with 1,000+ personnel. My direct management spanned the Planning, Development Services, Sustainability, Mobility, Economic Development, and Real Estate Assets departments. In this role I also managed the city’s vast real estate portfolio, comprising 1,600+ properties and approx. 123,000 acres.Some of the achievements I am most proud of include: - Creating San Diego Community Power, which today boasts a $709 million net operating income by sourcing renewable electricity for San Diego and four adjacent cities.- Establishing an electronic submission process for 125,000 annual building permits, replacing a cumbersome paper-based system, cutting delivery time in half and reducing our operating cost 15%- Leading negotiations to secure $90M in additional revenue for the city over 10 years as a part of utility franchise negotiations.- Renegotiating pivotal IoT service agreements, saving the city $3 million.This was a period of change for the city that was brought on by enormous budget pressure. As a part of the effort to streamline city processes and reduce operational costs, I led several extensive internal reorganizations, one of which included the establishment of the mobility department, and another which included the integration of an independent nonprofit into city operations.

San Diego, Ca, Us

The City’s Office of Sustainability was created in July of 2018 to coordinate implementation of the City of San Diego’s Climate Action Plan. This aggressive plan calls for eliminating half of all greenhouse gas emissions in the City by 2035. The legally binding plan also establishes targets for the City to achieve 100% renewable energy citywide and send zero waste to the landfill by 2035. Day-to-day activities of the department include managing the City’s portfolio of renewable energy and energy efficiency projects, developing new programs and policies to ensure proper implementation and tracking of the City's Climate Action Plan, and managing adaptation/resiliency efforts.

San Diego, Ca, Us

In this role I was responsible for a team of 77 whose goal was to foster a vibrant and sustainable economy in San Diego. Perhaps my most impressive accomplishment during this period was the development of an improved grants management system, which eventually uncovered $121 million in additional federal funds owed to the city! Other milestones I’m proud to have helped the City achieve during this time include: 1. Moving San Diego to #3 in the country (up from #7) for startup investments through the pursuit of innovation clusters.2. Establishment of the City’s first ever economic data collection and analysis team which went on to achieve a 30% reduction in data analysis cost.In this role I also assumed additional responsibility as Interim Director for the newly created Sustainability Department. In that interim role, I developed the foundation for the Mayor’s transformative vision: reduce the city's carbon emissions by half and commit to 100% clean energy for all buildings and residences by 2035.

As the Vice-President of Government Partnerships at Figtree Financing (now Dividend Finance), a clean energy specialty finance company, I was responsible for managing the company's relationships with local and state government entities. My team focused on business development and government affairs, assisting cities and counties with the adoption of Figtree's PACE (Property Assessed Clean Energy) program. I also led the company's state and federal legislative advocacy efforts. In this role, I demonstrated strong leadership and management skills while also playing a key role in the company's successful series A institutional investment capital formation process. With my expertise in government partnerships, I helped Figtree expand its reach and provide innovative financing solutions for environmentally friendly products and services.

As the Principal of Caldwell Advocates (originally founded as Icon Strategies), a full-service public affairs and public policy consulting firm that helps its clients turn ideas into action, I leveraged my decade of experience developing solutions to public policy and public affairs issues to assist a variety of private and non-profit clients. In addition to managing the firm's day-to-day operations and servicing existing clients, I was responsible for building new client relationships. As a seasoned expert in public policy, I effectively utilized my knowledge and experience to help my clients achieve their goals.

As the Chief of Staff, I led a team of nine and directed all activities in the Assemblyman's Sacramento and San Diego offices. My responsibilities included managing the development and implementation of the assemblyman's legislative and political agenda, leading the team in successfully supporting the Assemblyman's efforts to pass 14 pieces of legislation, and launching a new Assembly Select Committee on Jobs and the Innovative Economy. With a valuable understanding of how the legislative process works and how California state government operates, I was able to effectively navigate the complex political landscape and drive meaningful progress for the Assemblyman and his constituents.

San Diego, Ca, Us

As the Deputy Director of Policy for Mayor Jerry Sanders, I had the opportunity to gain a deep understanding of how municipal government functions across a wide range of programs. In this role, I led the Office of Economic Growth Services (EGS), a team of eight responsible for implementing the City's economic development strategy and coordinating business retention and attraction efforts. I also oversaw staff responsible for implementing the Mayor's renewable energy and energy efficiency strategy and provided public policy guidance to the Mayor on topics such as government efficiency and the development of the policy framework for our annual 3 billion dollar municipal budget. My extensive experience in this role gave me a unique understanding of the inner workings of municipal government.

San Diego, Ca, Us

Provides policy and strategy advice to the Mayor on issues related to clean technology, environmental matters, energy issues, and other strategic initiatives.

As the Chief Deputy, I led a team of ten responsible for providing expert advice and counsel to a member of the California State Board of Equalization on more than 30 different tax and fee programs. Our team developed and implemented a comprehensive community outreach program that included workshops, advisory groups, and public speeches to educate taxpayers and support our district-wide communications strategy. Additionally, we assisted taxpayers with Franchise Tax Board and Board of Equalization audit, collections, and appeals issues. Through my leadership, our team effectively supported the Board's mission to administer fair and effective tax and fee programs for Californians.

San Diego, California, Us

It was an honor to begin my professional career as the Legislative Assistant to Supervisor Greg Cox, where I provided public policy guidance on issues such as the County budget, environmental issues, emergency services, and public safety. This position gave me the opportunity to learn how the county's operations and programs worked in detail and to work alongside operational staff to implement the Board of Supervisor's policy initiatives. Other responsibilities included administering the Supervisor's Community Projects Grant Funding and attending public events on behalf of the Supervisor. This role provided valuable experience and insights into the inner workings of county government.

Master Of Business Administration (Mba), Business Administration And Management, General

Undergraduate, Political Science