Jim Williams Wins 2010 Franke Award for Excellence in Public Service

PHILADELPHIA, May 24 /PRNewswire/ -- Yesterday evening, the American Council for Technology (ACT) presented the 2010 John J. Franke Award to Jim Williams, recently retired Commissioner, Federal Acquisition Service, General Services Administration. The Franke Award, the highest honor presented by ACT, recognizes extraordinary long-term contributions to federal service. The award is given each year to a government employee who has demonstrated a continuing commitment to public service, employee development, and collaboration.

In presenting the award to Mr. Williams, Prashant Gaur, ACT President, said, "Jim has spent his entire decades-long career in the federal government in service to the citizens.  He has had a remarkable career, taking on some of the toughest challenges in government and succeeding.  It was an honor and a privilege to give Jim this award for his outstanding dedication and service."

The award honors the memory of John J. Franke, a former senior government official who was recognized as exemplifying the best of government service.  Mr. Franke was known for his commitment to the public good, his belief in the goodness and value of all people, and his support of partnerships and collaboration.  He served as an Assistant Secretary for Management in the Department of Agriculture under President Reagan, where he helped establish the National Finance Center.  He later became the first Director of the Federal Quality Institute before he succumbed to cancer in 1991.

Mr. Gaur, who was joined on the stage by former Franke winners Sandy Bates, Karen Evan, John Gilligan and John Johnson, emphasized that Mr. Williams' service to the government exemplifies everything that John Franke stood for.

Mr. Williams recently retired from government. He was Acting Administrator for GSA, responsible for nearly 12,000 employees and more than one-fourth of the government's total procurement budget.  As administrator, he influenced the management of $500 billion in assets. During his leadership as Acting Administrator he was responsible for a very successful presidential transition; and for gaining approval of the 4.5 million square foot Master Plan for the St. Elizabeths Hospital campus in Washington, DC to be the new permanent home of the Department of Homeland Security. 

In addition, he has been Commissioner, Federal Acquisition Service and early on, director of GSA's Local Telecommunications procurement division.

Prior to this, Mr. Williams served as Director of the U.S. Visitor and Immigrant Status Indicator Technology program (US-VISIT) at the Department of Homeland Security.

He also was Deputy Associate Commissioner for Program Management, Deputy Assistant Commissioner for Procurement and later, Director of Procurement at the IRS.

Mr. Williams earned a bachelor's degree in business administration from Virginia Commonwealth University and a master's in business administration from The George Washington University.

The Franke Award recipient is selected by the ACT Board of Directors. Mr. Williams  joins a distinguished list of past award winners: John Johnson (2009); Karen Evans (2008); Kevin Carroll (2007); David Wennergren (2006); John Gilligan (2005); Sandra Bates (2004); Ira Hobbs (2003); Dave Borland (2002); Jim Flyzik (2001); and Marty Wagner (2000).

About ACT-IAC – Government and Industry IT:  One Vision, One Community

The American Council for Technology (ACT) is a non-profit educational organization created by government executives to assist government in serving the public through the effective and efficient acquisition of information technology (IT) resources.  ACT provides education, programming, and collaboration opportunities to enhance and advance the government IT profession.  ACT established the Industry Advisory Council (IAC) to provide an objective, vendor and technology-neutral and ethical forum where government and industry can collaborate on improving government through technology.  

ACT-IAC has been recognized as the premier public-private partnership in the government IT community and as an example of how government and industry can work together.  For more information, visit www.actgov.org or call (703) 208-4800.

SOURCE American Council for Technology