Carl Dean "CD" Caldwell, II, a proud Hurricane native, is very involved with a variety of roles in the community. He serves as Director of Career and Technical Education for Putnam County Schools, and Principal of the Putnam County Career and Technical Center.  He is currently the President of the Putnam County Development Authority, and sits on the Hurricane City Council, and is a member of the Hurricane Fire and Water Board.  CD attended Hurricane High School, graduating in 1992, earned his bachelor's degree in social studies education from West Virginia State University in 1996, and completed a Graduate Degree in Leadership Studies at Marshall University in 2004.

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CD's wife, Leann, is a Psychologist with Putnam County Schools with an undergraduate and graduate degrees from Marshall University.  She brings a perspective to the struggles of our elementary students that no one truly realizes unless they experience it.  They have three children.  Makayla Vaughn, 21, graduated from Hurricane High School in 2022 and earned a degree in Healthcare Management from Marshall University in May 2025. She is now pursuing her MBA.  Renick Vaughn, 20, graduated from Hurricane High in 2024 and is currently studying Exercise Physiology at West Virginia University. The youngest, 10-year-old Kierra Caldwell, attends West Teays Elementary; she is a school greeter and enjoys softball and basketball, fishing, and playing outdoors. In CD's free time, he can usually be found in the woods or on a river.

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CD's current position in education is part of what led him to seek state office.  When he first started at Putnam Career and Technical Center about ten years ago the outlook wasn’t great for our students.  The local economy was stagnant, but changes brought about by the Republican Party has revitalized the business and industry in our county.  All the great students and friends that he has witnessed leaving West Virginia over the years to look for a better life is sobering.  But today there is a great outlook.  The momentum that is being built will endure for our youth and for our community.  An exciting experience for CD is when new business comes into our area and they want to visit the Career and Technical Education Center.  To him, they are his students; to that new employer coming in, they are their future...and the future is bright. 

 

CD's background lends him a unique perspective to workforce development and how Career and Technical Education investment is paramount to the future success of our area and state.  Creating internships and registered apprenticeships needs to be put on the forefront and removing barriers to access for our young adults.  Career ready means many different things for students leaving high school and them having a clear plan after graduation is paramount.  All students need to be on a pathway during their senior year of Employed, Enrolled or Enlisted.  There are three clear pathways for all students and this will build a brighter future for us all.

 

As a resident of the 21st District, CD is committed to ensuring that Putnam County and West Virginia remain a place where families prosper.