SHINING STARS

Ronald Williams, RCI Telecom

Ronald V. Williams is currently Senior Vice-President of Richardson
Communications, Inc. (RCI), which is a multi-faceted business entity
involved in three primary business segments: management consulting, telecommunications and facilities management. Mr. Williams has garnered a wealth of experience over the last 25 years in business and government relations activities, these activities include: President of W & R, LLC, a management/marketing, public and government relations consulting firm, specializing in establishing strategic alliances with companies interested in either emerging markets and/or shifting business strategies (counseling over 500 businesses and assisting clients secure over $400 million in contracts); Sr. Partner in Williams Partners, an investment banking placement firm responsible for securing investment funds for customers since 1996; Executive Director of the CT Minority Business Development Center (CMBDC) from 1994-1996; Associate Director of the CT MBDC from 1983-1986, Mr. Williams counseled over 300 businesses and acted as Training Director, providing training to over 2000 entrepreneurs; Small Business Government Liaison for U.S. Senator Christopher J. Dodd from 1979-1983, Mr. Willams specialized in defense procurement and logistics, economic development and Small Business Administration (SBA) matters; since 1998.

Mr. Williams, over the years, has trained entrepreneurs and business executives in the areas of entrepreneurship, business financing, business formation, strategic alliances, marketing and sales, et al. Mr. Williams has also served as MC/Facilitator at countless seminars / workshops / events – social and business (Financial Literacy, Diversity Training, Tenant Training, Entrepreneurial Training, Focus Groups and Retreats) for profit and non-profit concerns.

Mr. Williams has served on a number of boards and committees, has numerous memberships and affiliations and received numerous recognitions, including: National Minority Supplier Development Council (NMSDC) – NMBEIC Northeast Regional Chairperson (2006-Present), Connecticut Minority Supplier Development Council (CMSDC) Chairperson, Minority Business Enterprise Input Committee 9MBEIC0 - (1998 - 1996), SBA - Regulatory Fairness Board - Region I – Chairperson - (1996 - 2001), White House Conference on Small Business - Delegate - (1996), SBA - Minority Small Business Advocate of the Year - (1994/1995), SBA - N.E. Regional Minority Small Business Award - (1994/1995), Clinton/Gore Presidential Elector - (1992), Greater Hartford Chamber of Commerce - Board Member - (1992-1995), CT State Federation of
Black Democrats (CSFBDC) - President - (1991 - 1993), Greater Hartford Chapter of the American Red Cross - Board Member - (1990 - 1995), MBELDEF - Executive Board Member - (1989-Present) and CHRO - Economic Development Advisory Committee - (1987-1990).

Continued