William A. Williams

Photo of William Williams
Senior Policy Analyst; Professor, Pardee RAND Graduate School
Off Site Office

Education

M.A. in international relations, Creighton University; B.S. in radio/TV-film (concentrations in english and government), University of Texas, Austin

Overview

William A. "Skip" Williams is a senior policy analyst at the RAND Corporation. Williams joined RAND in 1997, and has researched issues on homeland security, military ops/training, intelligence, strategy, command/control, space ops, and special ops. His research has benefitted sponsors including the National Reconnaissance Office, USAF, ASD Special Operations-Low Intensity Conflict, USD(I), National Guard Bureau, NASA, and FBI. Williams Served as co-chief of staff, RAND-DoD Acquisition 2001 Transformation Task Force. He served as staff director for a NGA Advisory Group, managing research affecting geospatial use. He led a comprehensive look at ranges/airspace focused on test & training requirements.

Williams has more than 20 years of experience in operations as a B-52 aircraft commander, and flight commander/instructor. He led a USAFE command team defining post-cold war European basing. Williams managed international programs for the UK, southern Europe/northern Africa, and on Air Staff supporting HQ USAF Ops Deptuy. Before RAND, he served in the CIA for almost three years. His work includes C2 issues relating to austere location golbal connectivity, mobility component organization, USAF-Airline collaboration, aqusition human capital, Afghanistan, USSTRATCOM C2 presentation, space acquisition strategy and human capital planning, security assistance, and FBI issues post 11 Sep attacks.

Williams assisted the ops team working with NASA and White House Office of Science and Technology on SST future. He is a former adjunct lecturer at University of Maine, Presque Isle, International Relations, and presently on Pardee RAND Graduate School faculty. Williams has worked in media relations and television production including news, commercials, and features. He worked in programming for non-profits during shift in funding. He is a charter member of the Cultural Evolution Society, a national professional association, and has assisted with strategy and President recruitment.

Member of Metropolitan Interstate Commission (Duluth, Minnesotta, and Superior, Wisconsin, region) Bike and Pedestrian Advisory Committee.

Research Focus

Recent Projects

  • Nevada Test and Training Range Strategic Look Related to DOI Land Renewal Process
  • Foreign Military Sales Process and Constraints
  • Combat Communications; Requirements Extending the Network into Austere Locations
  • Afghanistan and the Legacy Initiative with National Policing Capabiltiy
  • Air National Guard Missions in a Changing Environment

Publications