Christopher Walters is a versatile and skilled executive in the areas of government relations, public affairs, and strategic planning with experience in the manufacturing, automotive, commercial vehicle, agriculture and construction industries. Christopher has deep involvement with issues related to energy, environment and climate. He is currently serving as the Head of North America Public Affairs at Iveco Group since January 2022. In this role, he leads the regional team’s government relations work at the federal, state, and local levels, advising senior management on long-term strategic aspects of current and emerging policy and regulatory activities. He is also responsible for developing strategies related to technical regulations, legislative proposals, and policies.
Christopher currently serves as a member of the Board of Directors for key industry trade groups and chairs several industry committees focused on regional and global business matters.
Prior to his current position, Christopher served in a role as a global senior manager in the Powertrain business unit of CNH Industrial from October 2019 to December 2021, where he managed the global function related to environmental regulatory compliance for all automotive and diesel engine product lines. His team acted as a technical liaison to engineering teams on emission regulations, managed the development of technical comments on regulatory initiatives and coordinated the company’s participation in industry groups and government meetings.
Christopher took his first leadership role, assuming responsibility for North America regulatory affairs starting in 2016. The team negotiated with senior-level regulatory and government officials on emissions compliance standards for the heavy-duty engine industry. Christopher played a pivotal role in defining internal company strategic positions while developing leadership skills. He also was appointed as a Director at two industry trade associations, providing direction on many activities, including strategic vision, succession planning, financial audits and association governance.
Throughout his career, Christopher has been recognized as a top authority in global engine emissions standards, with extensive experience in the automotive, commercial vehicle, diesel engine, agricultural, and construction equipment industries. With exposure to a variety of roles, Christopher has the skills to advise on both long-term strategic business objectives and near-term operational functions. With a proven track record, technical know-how and an extensive public-private professional network, he is well-positioned to navigate critical business matters, complex technical issues and volatile political landscapes. His background and professional achievements underscore his capability to drive impactful change in the industry, positioning Iveco Group to maximize its opportunities and minimize its risks.
Character: Christopher Walters has exemplified the qualities of positive leadership, emphasizing relationships, trust, integrity and resilience.
Knowledge: With deep expertise in different industries and related technical areas, Christopher Walters is a top authority on emissions, energy and environmental policy and regulations.
Strategic: Christopher Walters is skilled at developing and executing long-term strategic initiatives, proven by building the advocacy & lobbying and compliance programs for various businesses and industries.
Communication: Christopher prioritizes and understands the importance of communication at all levels, including senior management, government officials, industry leaders and company colleagues.
