Hefflinger Named Manager of Communications and Public Affairs

Salado Isolation Mining Contractors (SIMCO), the management and operating contractor for the U.S. Department of Energy’s (DOE) Waste Isolation Pilot Plant (WIPP), today announced the appointment of Patrick Hefflinger as the company’s new Manager of Communications and Public Affairs.

In this strategic leadership role, Hefflinger will oversee SIMCO’s communications and public affairs team based in Carlsbad, New Mexico. Hefflinger will focus on elevating public awareness of the site’s nuclear cleanup and national security missions while expanding local community engagement. He will also be responsible for streamlining the site’s internal workforce communications and ensuring robust readiness for all emergency response public information.

With over 15 years navigating the intersection of energy policy and public perception,nHefflinger joins SIMCO after a successful tenure as Group Vice President at global PR agency Ruder Finn. There, he led the energy and public affairs teams, acting as a trusted advisor to high-profile clients; guiding them through complex communications hurdles and high-pressure corporate crises.

“Patrick brings a rare combination of corporate communication depth and insider knowledge of our specific federal mission,” said Ryan Flynn, SIMCO’s Deputy Program Manager. “His proven ability to build trust across New Mexico and communicate clearly in complex environments makes him uniquely qualified to guide our public affairs team as we support WIPP’s critical environmental cleanup and national security missions.”

Hefflinger has strong ties to WIPP and a genuine understanding of the region. As the Legislative Affairs Specialist for DOE’s Office of Environmental Management (EM), he spent years navigating the delicate balance between federal policy and local site operations. His dedication to the New Mexico external affairs portfolio earned him a DOE Environmental Management Special Act Award in 2024 for his ability to bring clarity and steady leadership to EM’s complex missions.

“WIPP has played a central role in my professional development,” said Hefflinger. “This site, its workforce, and the unique communities of Carlsbad, Hobbs, and Loving mean a great deal to me personally. I deeply understand how vitally important WIPP is to our nation’s environmental cleanup and national security missions, and I look forward to working closely with our neighbors in Eddy and Lea counties, as well as stakeholders across New Mexico, to deliver clear, transparent, and proactive communication.”

While at DOE Headquarters, Hefflinger pioneered and maintained a first-of-its-kind, statewide engagement strategy for the State of New Mexico to increase public transparency and build renewed trust. He successfully coordinated cohesive messaging across distinct EM entities and segments of the National Nuclear Security Administration (NNSA) and routinely built trusted relationships with local community leaders.