About Ron Williams
Background - "Proven Track Record of Service & Success for Arizona & the City of Mesa"
Education: Grand Canyon University, Community College of the U.S. Air Force
Work History: U. S. Air Force (14 Years), Non-Profit CEO (14 Years), Business Owner (15 Years)
Top Recognitions: Arizona CCG Lifetime Achievement Award (2019), Inducted into the Arizona Veterans Hall of Fame (2022)
"Shared By Ron Williams"
I am called to serve. This calling comes from a place of gratitude; Gratitude for those who helped me become the man I am today. I was raised by a Single Mother and I am the youngest of 6 children. We lived in public housing in Memphis, Tennessee until my Mother was able to afford an 886 sq ft home for all of us to share. Even though my Mother worked 2-3 jobs at a time to make it happen, we were simply poor. Although we had very little money, there was always food on the table for dinner. Sometimes it was only cornbread and beans, but it was always there. I relied on free and reduced breakfast and lunch programs for my other meals. Summer programs fed us during summer and thankfully we were never hungry. I am grateful for programs that ensured my family was fed each day.
At 17, after high school, I joined the United States Air Force (USAF) and honorably served my country from 1978 - 1992. I served in support of Operation Desert Shield/Storm during the Gulf War.
Military medals, badges and citations include:
USAF Outstanding Unit Award - 1 device
USAF Good Conduct Medal - 3 devices
National Defense Service Medal
USAF Overseas Long Tour Ribbon
USAF Longevity Service Award Ribbon - 2 devices
Non-Commissioned Officer Professional Military Education Graduate Ribbon
USAF Training Ribbon
Distinguished Graduate Non-Commissioned Officer Leadership School, Williams Air Force Base, Class 86-E
Military service around the country and world. I had the honor of serving at the following Air Force Bases (AFB)s:
Lackland AFB - San Antonio, Texas;
Minot AFB - Minot, North Dakota;
Torrejon Air Base - Madrid, Spain;
Grand Forks AFB - Grand Forks, North Dakota
Peterson AFB - Colorado Springs, Colorado
Williams AFB - Mesa, Arizona.
I am thankful for the lessons I learned during my military career. I learned the value of hard work, the importance of teamwork and the power of service. My commitment to service extends beyond my military career. After my Honorable Discharge, I ran the Arizona Procurement Technical Assistance Network; I was the Director of the Arizona Native American Business Development Center, and accepted a job working for the City of Phoenix in the Equal Opportunity department. These experiences showed me the power of helping business owners become advocates for themselves so that they could grow their businesses. I took that knowledge to my next position of Chief Executive Officer of the Arizona Chapter of the National Minority Supplier Development Council. It was at the council that I was able to combine the skills I learned as a procurement officer in the military and the business development strategies I learned at the city of Phoenix to support business owners across the state. I became a business owner in 2009 and used the lessons I learned to successfully own and operate a restaurant at Phoenix Sky Harbor airport for almost 9 years. I an excited about my successful new partnership with Paradies Lagardère as an Equity Owner for two (3) Retail Concepts in Terminal 4, Gate D11, (1) Arizona Road Trip & (2) Fan Shop by PGA; and (3) coming in 2025 Pre-Security; Camelback Provisions 24/7. I am grateful for the opportunities these career paths provided me.
I have lived in Mesa collectively over 31+ years & have been committed to serving in this community. My volunteer work included:
-Board of Directors of Child Crisis Arizona, that provides emergency shelter, foster care, adoption, counseling, early education, and parenting support services to Arizona’s most vulnerable children, youth and families
-Volunteering & Assisting the homeless, formerly incarcerated and underserved citizens at Mesa Homeless Programs
-Supporting military veterans with employment, education, and entrepreneurship at the HEROZONA Foundation
-Providing scholarships and internships for graduating high school seniors at the Arizona Dream Builder Foundation
-Serving as an Advisor for the Arizona Interscholastic Association (AIA), that provides governance & state coordination for interscholastic activities, which enriches the education-based athletics and activities of Arizona high schools, in a fair, diverse and equitable manner.
Most recently I have been afforded the opportunity to serve on the Board of Directors of the Arizona Veterans Hall of Fame Society, Visit Mesa, the Mesa Human Relations Advisory Board, the Mesa For All Foundation, the Mesa Police Foundation, and the City of Mesa 2050 General Plan Citizen Advisory Committee. I continue to learn so much about our community during this service.
I am dedicated to service and look forward to continuing to serve Arizona and my Mesa Community.
Experiences
A FORMER MESA CITY COUNCIL CANDIDATE
Ron is a 31 plus year Mesa Resident and Highly Decorated, Desert Storm-Era Veteran. He served Honorably in the United States Air Force, from 1978 until 1992. He's been humbly recognized as a Humanitarian, Community Servant, Business Owner & Phoenix Sky Harbor Airport Concessionaire Owner/Operator. He has done so much to address many of society's greatest needs.
After serving six (6) years as the President/CEO of the Arizona Chapter of the National Minority Supplier Development Council for six (6) years, in 2009, Ron became the Owner of Contacts to Contracts, LLC, a Service-Disabled Veteran Owned Small Business (SDVOSB). In December 2010, his company Contacts to Contracts became Equity Managing Partner & Owner/Operator of a Restaurant at Phoenix Sky Harbor Int’l Airport, Terminal 4. Contacts to Contracts, LLC has partnered with Paradise Lagardère to open and operate 2 NEW Retail locations in Terminal 4, in the new 8th Concourse (Fan Shop by PGA and Arizona Road Trip), and soon (Camelback Provisions 24/7), scheduled for a 2025 opening.
Ron excels in: Strategic Partnering, Business Development & Certification, and possesses an immense background in Human Relations. He has effectively ran (3) large Statewide Business Development Agencies in Arizona and possess over thirty-five (36+) plus years of military/private sector business experience, assisting Arizona firms in winning over $100 Billion Dollars in contracts.
In addition to running his businesses, he spends a tremendous amount of time volunteering and serving his Mesa community, for which he's been humbly recognized for his efforts. He and his family have been long-time volunteers in our community. His children attended and graduated from Mesa Public Schools. Ron has developed strong business and community relationships in Mesa and throughout Arizona. He is a leader deeply driven by his profound faith, compassion, and kindness. Ron has clearly exhibited to all that he is truly dedicated to serving the citizens in our community.
EXECUTIVE LEVEL EXPERIENCES:
U.S. Air Force Contracting/Purchasing & Procurement Officer
Executive Manager -Arizona Procurement Technical Assistance Network (Arizona PTAC)
Executive Director - Arizona Native American Business Development Center, at the National Center for American Indian Enterprise Development (Native American MBDA)
Equal Opportunity Specialist - City of Phoenix - M/W/S/DBE Business Certifications, and Liaison to the Mayor’s Human Relations Commission, and Outreach Team Leader for Business Relations
President/CEO - Arizona Chapter of the National Minority Supplier Development Council
City of Mesa & Mesa Area Boards/Committees
Board Secretary - Visit Mesa
2-Term Board Chairperson – City of Mesa Human Relations Advisory Board (6 Years total)
Chairperson – City of Mesa General Plan Advisory Committee (GPAC)
Board Executive Committee / Treasurer – Visit Mesa
Board Chair – Mesa For All Foundation
Chair – Visit Mesa’s Board Development Committee
Board Vice Chair – Mesa Police Foundation
(2-Year Board President) - Child Crisis Arizona (Served 8 Years total)
Arizona Community Boards/Committees (Past & Present)
Former Board President - HEROZONA Foundation, non-profit helping military veterans & under-served students
Founder/Board Chair - The National Veterans Opportunity Coalition
Founding Board Member - Arizona Dream Builder Foundation
Former Member - Phoenix - District 8 African American Advisory Council
Chair - Arizona Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Celebration Events
Community Advisory Board Member - Arizona Interscholastic Association (AIA)
Advisory Board Member - Boost a Foster Family
Former Member - Arizona Hates Crimes Task Force
Former Board Member - Attorney General's African American Advisory Board
Former Member - Arizona/Mexico Commission
Former 3 Year Chairperson – Valley Metro Light Rail DBE Outreach Advisory Committee
Former Member - Super Bowl XLII Host Committee
Business / Community Awards & Recognitions
Don Eagle "NCCJ Humanitarian of the Year Award" – National Conference for Community & Justice
Finalist-Community Advocate of the Year Award- Black Chamber of AZ
Minority Enterprise Development Week – “Hall of Fame” – AZ Minority Business Enterprise Center
Diversity Leadership Award - Women in Transportation Metropolitan Phoenix Chapter
Arizona MLK “Living the Dream Award”- Phoenix Human Relations Commission
Minority Business Advocate of the Year – Arizona Minority Business Enterprise Center operated by the AZ Hispanic Chamber of Commerce; funded by the Minority Business Development Agency
One of “100 Men Impacting Supplier Diversity in the U.S.”
National recognition in the Oct. 15, 2006 edition of Minority Business USA
Most Influential Arizona Business Leader - Business Journal - Arizona’s “Power People”, Power Magazine.
Inducted into the Inaugural “2008 MLK Advocate of Equality “Hall of Fame” - National Bar Association Arizona Diversity Pipeline Program Inc.
Finalist – Director of the Year Award – Organization for Non-Profit Executives
Outstanding Community Advocate of the Year Award – Salt River Project (SRP); Supplier Diversity All Star - Dedication & Commitment to the development of diverse businesses
Legacy Award - United Latino Business Coalition (ULBC) Excellence in Business Awards
Community Partnership Award - Women's Business Enterprise Council (WBEC-West)
100 Influential People of Minority Economic Development in the U.S.; as published in the National Magazine “Minority Business USA”
Veora E. Johnson Spirit of Unity Award - Mesa-East Valley Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Celebration Committee
Entrepreneurial Success Award – The Black Chamber of Arizona
Salute to Service Award – AGC Collector’s Club of Arizona
Veteran Impact Award – The National Veterans Opportunity Coalition
Arizona MLK - Calvin C. Goode – “Lifetime Achievement Award”- Phoenix Human Relations Commission
“Game Changer Award” Productive Business – iChange Nations Productive Business Summit
“Desert Storm/Cold War Honoree” Veteran Medical Leadership Group – U.S Air Force Veteran
Chief Hill - ”Armed Services Award” – Chandler Men of Action, 10th African American Banquet
Arizona Veterans “Hall of Fame Inductee – Class of 2022”, by signature of Arizona Governor Doug Ducey
Pacific Southwest MSDC - To The Power of 30 Anniversary Gala - "2023 IMPACT AWARD" Honoree
Visit Mesa – Mike Whalen “Spirit of Community Service Award”