Keim named Public Affairs Director
Keim named Public Affairs Director for Y-12 National Security Complex
Mon, 15 June 2009
B&W Y‑12 has tapped an award-winning Knoxville journalist to lead public affairs efforts for the Y‑12 National Security Complex.
Today Darrel Kohlhorst, B&W Y‑12 president and general manager, announced that David Keim will become Y‑12’s Public Affairs Director in mid July. In this position, Keim will be responsible for developing and implementing external and internal communications and community relations activities in support of Y‑12’s strategic objectives and will manage the company’s public affairs staff. Keim comes to Y‑12 from the Knoxville News Sentinel, where he has been continuous news editor for local news and business since 2006.
“I am excited to have David join our team. His news and management experience, coupled with his knowledge of East Tennessee, will be key assets in communicating Y‑12’s mission, continuing transformation and economic impact on the region,” said Kohlhorst.
Keim previously served as business editor and started the monthly Greater Knoxville Business Journal and annual Book of Lists. He joined the newspaper as a reporter in 1993 and covered county government, education and projects. He is an honors graduate of Ohio University and also worked at newspapers in Michigan and Ohio. He is a 2006 graduate of Leadership Knoxville, a program that provides in-depth exposure to area businesses, agencies and volunteer organizations. He also is currently a member of the University of Tennessee’s three-year Chancellor’s Associates program. He has won numerous journalism awards and most recently was lead news editor on local government coverage that won four national awards, including Associated Press Managing Editors and National Journalism awards for service to the First Amendment.
David will replace Mike Monnett, who has assumed the role of Manager of Market and Business Analysis in Y‑12’s Science, Technology & Partnerships organization. David will report to Bill Klemm, Y‑12’s deputy general manager.
“Every day the employees at Y‑12 give their all to meet our mission on behalf of the nation and to transform the site for its enduring mission,” said Klemm. “I’m eager to work with David to be sure that our efforts to tell their story are equally dedicated and effective.”
Said Keim, “Y‑12’s work is nationally and internationally significant, and it’s something East Tennesseans should be proud of. This is a great time to go to work with the team that’s explaining how Y‑12 is changing, the projects on the drawing board, and its plans for the future. I look forward to this new challenge.”
B&W Y-12, a limited liability enterprise of the Babcock and Wilcox Company and Bechtel National Inc., operates the Y‑12 National Security Complex for the National Nuclear Security Administration. With 4446 employees, it is one of the largest manufacturing operations in Tennessee, with responsibilities including production of highly specialized weapons components; safeguarding of the nation’s nuclear stockpile; processing of uranium for the U.S nuclear naval propulsion program; and training of military and emergency response units.