, he headed his own successful consulting and lobbying firm, Pat Williams and Associates. Earlier he gained additional client-focused experience at the firm of Higgins, McGovern & Smith, where he lobbied technology, environment, healthcare and privacy issues before various House and Senate Committees, including Commerce, Judiciary and Appropriations.
Before joining the firm, Mr. Williams served as Vice President of Federal Affairs for AT&T Corporation. In that capacity, he managed 40 lobbying and consulting firms, dozens of internal government affairs professionals and a multi-million dollar budget. He led AT&T’s lobbying team in strategic planning, building industry coalitions and implementing successful grassroots campaigns, He played a major role in all AT&T matters related to the federal government, including Department and Agency activity related to telecom networks and services. With intricate knowledge of telecommunications industry, Mr. Williams played a key role in the development and passage of the landmark Telecommunications Act of 1996. Prior to AT&T, Mr. Williams served as leading advocate for MCI Corporation, supervising MCI’s federal procurement program and all matters related to telecommunications policy.
While with the Telecommunications Industry Association, Mr. Williams initiated the organization’s lobbying and public relations efforts. Representing 600 telecommunications equipment suppliers, he served as the association’s chief liaison with Congress and the Executive Branch, focusing on Regional Bell Operating Companies’ re-entry into manufacturing. Successfully working to ensure a competitive marketplace at home and abroad, Williams is credited with impacting the substantial growth the U.S. telecom equipment manufacturing industry experienced during his tenure at TIA.
Mr. Williams gained extensive legislative experience as he served on the staffs of Congressman Dennis Hertel and Congressman Jim Blanchard. With Congressman Hertel, Mr. Williams developed a strong relationship with members of the House and Senate Armed Services Committees as he worked with counterparts to forge legislation such as the DoD Authorization bill. He received his B.A. from the University of Maryland. As a native of Washington, D.C., Mr. Williams is active in a variety of local and national charitable organizations. He resides in Kensington, Maryland with his wife Sheila and their six children.
