James A. Williams retired from Federal service in June 2006 after 32 years at 2 federal agencies. He most recently was the General Services Administration’s (GSA) Deputy Commissioner of their Federal Technology Service (FTS). He served at GSA for 20 years in various capacities in both its headquarters and regional offices.

For over 10 years he served as an Assistant Commissioner in GSA’s Public Buildings Service first for Information Systems and as the first Assistant Commissioner for Business Development, creating a focus on the customer. PBS is the largest public real estate organization in the country with over 342 million square feet managed, serving 1.1 million federal employees.

Mr. Williams began his Federal career in 1974 with the Federal Trade Commission (FTC), serving for 12 years as Deputy Executive Director and Acting Executive Director for the Commission. He helped establish FTC’s strategic planning and budgeting processes.

Mr. Williams received the Presidential Rank Award of Meritorious Executive, Distinguished Service Awards and Meritorious Service Awards from both GSA and FTC, among other awards at both agencies. On retirement from GSA, he received the agency’s Exceptional Service Award. He also served on the board and as the Chair of the Federal Executive Board in Philadelphia. He was appointed to the Senior Executive Service on its inception in 1979.

He graduated cum laude from Bellarmine University and attended Indiana University’s Graduate School of Business, and Harvard University’s Seniors Managers in Government.