Billy Stair
Director, Communications and External Relations
Mr. Stair is responsible for coordination of media relations, marketing support for the scientific agenda of the Oak Ridge National Laboratory, internal communications, and communication with ORNL retirees. He also serves as the Laboratory’s primary liaison with a variety of community and political stakeholders. Other functions under his direction are the operation of the ORNL Research Library, graphic design and publishing services, community outreach efforts, and oversight of the American Museum of Science and Energy.
A native of Kingsport, Tennessee, Mr. Stair received a bachelor’s degree in history and political science from Mars Hill College in Mars Hill, North Carolina, and a master’s degree in history from Pennsylvania State University in State College, Pennsylvania. He worked in Tennessee’s state government for 18 years, serving in both the legislative and executive branches. From 1987 to 1994, he served as Governor Ned Ray McWherter’s Senior Policy Advisor.
Mr. Stair left state government in 1994 to serve as Executive Assistant to the President of the University of Tennessee (UT), Dr. Joe Johnson, assisting in government relations, communications, athletics, and various budgetary initiatives. In October 1999, he joined the UT team that partnered with Battelle to develop a successful proposal for managing and operating ORNL for the Department of Energy.
Mr. Stair is co-author of a textbook, Government and Politics in Tennessee, released in 2001 by the University of Tennessee Press.
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Oak Ridge National Laboratory |
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