Founding member and CEO, Ms. A. Leigh Williams, Esq., has a wealth of knowledge and experience in the legal, business and political consulting industries for government, corporate and community-based organizations. Ms. Williams has nearly 30 years of hands-on experience representing leading telecommunications, electricity, gas, water/wastewater, transportation and technology firms, as well as a public utility commission and a state and local government. She is accustomed to listening intently; devising initiatives; developing opportunities; navigating political, regulatory, legal and business processes; managing reputations; assessing risks and rewards; and forecasting financial implications to outmatch a variety of challenges.
Ms. Willilams was appointed Director of the Maryland Energy Administration by Maryland Governor Larry Hogan where she advocated the Administration’s position on Energy policy before the Maryland Public Service Commission, Maryland General Assembly, and White House working groups. She also oversaw nearly $400M in strategic energy investments in offshore wind, solar, alternative fuels, electric vehicles, waste to energy, manufacturing, energy efficiency, energy/water conservation and game changing energy storage and renewable energy technologies.
Ms. Williams also served as Deputy Secretary of Energy, Maryland Department of General Services where she implemented Agency Energy Planning; Energy Performance Contracting; Energy Use Tracking; Energy Commodities Purchasing; Renewable Energy Sourcing; and Demand Response and Energy Security Planning. Notably, she enhanced energy purchasing strategies to save historic figures for the purchase of electricity for 58 State agencies, the University System of Maryland and non-profit organizations. Ms. Williams is also nationally known for establishing the model for state collaboration among local governmental units, federal partners and the private sector for the protection, restoration and recovery of communities and critical infrastructure in the event of a wide-spread, prolonged disruption of the national electric grid.
During her tenure in State government, Ms. Williams also focused on workforce development. As administrator of the Strategic Energy Investment Fund (SEIF), she strategized with Maryland Department of Human Resources, Department of Housing and Community Development, and the Department of Labor, Licensing and Regulation along with institutions for higher learning and national nonprofits methods for low and moderate-income recipients to participate in the green economy while revitalizing their own communities. Ms. Williams also worked to develop a manufacturing and a workforce supply chain for the development of offshore wind. She ensured that SEIF dollars were matched with other grants and nonprofit training resources to allow women, minority, veterans and returning citizens to enter the industry.
Ms. Williams enjoys speaking before student bodies, caucuses, non-profits, businesses and interest groups about how to outmatch the challenges of developing the education, skills and workforce needed to participate in the burgeoning Energy, Environment and Transportation industries. Her lifelong commitment to assist others also involves mentoring the youth, assisting relief organizations, and cultivating understanding between multicultural communities. Ms. Williams is a graduate of the School of Public and Environmental Affairs, Indiana University with a B.S. in Public Affairs/Management and Juris Doctorate from Indiana University School of Law.