Chris Niles

Vice President

Chris Niles is a vice president in the O’Neill and Associates government relations division. In this capacity, Chris assists clients with state Legislative and Executive lobbying on a broad range of issues including public health, organized labor, technology, cannabis, and energy.

His clients have included Acadia Healthcare, the Association of Unmanned Vehicle Systems International (AUVSI), Camelot Global Services, New England Culinary Arts Training (NECAT), New England Gas Workers Association (NEGWA), SEIU 32BJ, and Shatterproof.

Chris brings experience working for The Massachusetts American Federation of Labor and Congress of Industrial Organizations (AFL-CIO), the umbrella group for over 700 local unions and voice for organized labor in the Commonwealth. In addition to his work at the AFL-CIO, Chris has years of experience in state government as Chief of Staff for former State Senator Steven A. Tolman.

Prior to joining O’Neill and Associates, Chris served as Chief of Staff for the AFL-CIO, managing President Tolman’s election and transition to the role. While at the AFL-CIO, he supervised staff members and the political, policy and communications, workforce development, and administrative departments.

From 2006 to 2011 Chris worked in several capacities for Senator Tolman, including as Chief of Staff and Legislative Director. As Chief of Staff he coordinated legislative policy, media strategy, community outreach, and constituent service casework. As Legislative Director, Chris administered all aspects of the Senator’s legislative portfolio and budget priorities. While working in the office he drafted legislation, position memorandum, press communications, handled constituent service matters, and worked on district issues.

Chris has worked on issues related to the opioid epidemic for over 10 years. While working in the Senate, Chris supervised a 2009 special legislative commission on opioid use and prevention and staffed the Joint Committee on Mental Health and Substance Abuse. Chris remains engaged in the issue and has worked to shape policy and legislative efforts on behalf of clients since joining O’Neill and Associates.

Chris has a bachelor of arts in political science and history from Hartwick College, where he was a member of the History Honors Society and Political Science Honors Society. He resides in Boxborough, Massachusetts.