Tony Williams

As W2A’s Chairman, Tony has helped resolve public policy challenges for almost every major industry in the Pacific Northwest. He specializes in executive counsel, serving as a strategic advisor to several elected officials, CEOs and top managers. Tony is known for his keen ability to diagnose, resolve and articulate sensitive internal and public issues. Tony helped launch W2A after a 15-year career on Capitol Hill, where he managed political campaigns, worked as a press secretary and served as Chief of Staff to U.S. Senator Slade Gorton. The Capitol Hill newspaper, Roll Call, twice placed him on their “Fabulous 50” list of congressional staffers. He saw first-hand how public policy can positively or negatively impact our economy, environment and Northwest way of life. Tony wanted W2A to be a small, nimble company with a strong community focus, and he dedicated W2A to building a positive future for our region. W2A’s work has helped to keep energy rates low, build stronger transportation infrastructure, fund critical health care services, resolve disputes between Northwest interests and create political connections for the high-tech sector. He believes in keeping the firm small so its partners can work directly with clients on high profile problems. An Oregon State University alumnus, Tony serves on the OSU Foundation’s Board of Trustees and is Chair of the Beaver Caucus, a volunteer-led group that advocates for higher education and OSU’s interests in Salem, He also serves on the boards of the Seattle Chamber of Commerce and the Bellevue Downtown Association. Tony’s wife, Cindi, is a nationally recognized leader on education reform who spent several years working key education issues at the U.S. Department of Education, Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation, and she is the Chair of the Washington State Charter School Commission. Cindi and Tony live in Clyde Hill and are active in their community. Their oldest son, Joshua, 20, is in his second year at The University of Iowa’s inclusive college program for young adults with intellectual disabilities. Their youngest son, Jacob, is 14 and is an 8th grader at Chinook Middle School.