Chris Grimes ‘09

Chris Grimes ‘09

Chris Grimes recently joined Clark as a Project Manager, returning to the company where he first worked as a high school intern before following his heart into public safety. He brings more than 15 years of leadership and public safety experience to innovative design projects. In addition to his role at Clark, he serves as an elected member of the Forsyth County Board of Education, having taken office on January 1, 2025. These dual roles reflect his commitment to advancing both organizational excellence and educational outcomes in his community.

Chris’s career has been defined by extensive service in emergency management and public safety in Forsyth County. As Emergency Management Director, he oversaw disaster recovery efforts, large-scale emergency planning, homeland security initiatives, and the county’s response to COVID-19. His leadership supported presidential disaster declarations, multi-agency response operations, and statewide deployments, including communications coordination during Super Bowl 53. This experience has equipped him with a strong foundation in crisis management, strategic planning, and collaborative leadership.

Chris has been a Forsyth County resident for more than 25 years, where he and his wife, Lezlie (UNG ’05), are raising their four children. A graduate of South Forsyth High School, he went on to earn a Bachelor’s degree from the University of North Georgia in 2009, completed the Georgia Law Enforcement Command College, and holds a Master’s degree in Public Safety Administration from Columbus State University.