• BS -Aerospace Science, Metropolitan State College, Denver, CO
• MA -Public Administration, University of Virginia, Charlottesville, VA.

William H. Williams, Jr., became the Director of the N. C. Department of Transportation (NCDOT) Division of Aviation in September 1998. The Division of Aviation is responsible for all aviation functions regarding state system planning, airport and aviation system development, and provides funding to communities for constructing and improving airports throughout the state.

Some of the state's key aviation initiatives include preparation and planning for celebration of the 100th anniversary of powered flight, community air passenger service, airport development and developing instrument approach procedures and navigational aids for statewide airports.

Williams currently is National Association of State Aviation Officials (NASAO) member on the AASHTO Standing Committee on Aviation..

Prior to his position with the NCDOT, Williams served 28 years with the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA). During that time, he served as a member of the Senior Executive Service for 16 years. He also served in managerial and executive positions in the FAA's Northwest Mountain, New England and Western-Pacific Regions. His most recent position was with Aviation System Standards where he served as program director for seven years.

While at the FAA, Williams received numerous awards -- including, the Senior Executive Service Presidential Rank, USDOT's Silver Medal for Meritorious Achievement on two occasions, the Award for Excellence in EEO and the National Black Coalition of Federal Aviation Employee's prestigious C. Alfred Anderson Award.

Williams is a pilot with more than 4,500 flying hours. He holds an airline transport pilot certificate, and is rated in single, multi-engine, and gliders, and is qualified as a flight instructor in each category. Williams also served eight years with the United States Air Force.

Williams received a MA in Public Administration from the University of Virginia, a BS in Aerospace Science from Metropolitan State College, and is a 1962 graduate of E. E. Smith High School, Kenansville, (in Duplin County) North Carolina. He was born and reared in the Stanford community between Magnolia and Kenansville.