E. Morgan Williams

E. MORGAN WILLIAMS

Ottawa High School:  1957

Ottawa University (B.A.):  1961

University of Kansas (M.A.):  1962

Morgan Williams has spent almost 50 years managing economic development organizations creating jobs, income, and democracy for people around the world through private business development.

He began his career in 1962 in Plains, KS, working on agribusiness development and then was assistant professor at Ottawa University. In 1969, Williams was appointed by the U.S. Secretary of Agriculture as Kansas State Director of the Farmers Home Administration (USDA). In 1977-1979, he was a professional staff member of the U.S. Senate Agriculture Committee working for U.S. Senator Bob Dole and in 1979-1980 was Mid-West Director, Bob Dole for President Committee.

Mr. Williams began working internationally in 1981 and managed food system development projects in Haiti, Egypt, Indonesia, and India.  In 1992, he began working development programs in Russia and Ukraine.  He was president of the Ukrainian Agricultural Development Company in Kyiv.  Today, he is with the SigmaBleyzer investment group and  president of the US-Ukraine Business Council.

Mr. Williams received three state medals for his service to the people of Ukraine:  from the President of Ukraine in 2007 and in 2009 from the Minister of Economy and the Minister of Foreign Affairs.

Morgan and his wife, Lynda, have four children.  They live in Virginia. 

INDUCTED SEPTEMBER 23, 2010