Messer promotes Williams to VP of Economic Inclusion

Messer Construction Co. has promoted Stanford T. Williams, Jr. to vice president of economic inclusion.

Williams, who joined Messer in 2005, brings experience as an owner of a small business, an adjunct professor of business and operations management, and a business consultant for supplier diversity programs.

In his new role, he will develop partnerships with certified minority and woman-owned businesses that could lead to project work and joint venture opportunities with Messer.

He will also oversee recruiting initiatives to bring more minority men and women into the company's workforce.

"At Messer, we believe that economic inclusion brings different perspectives to the way we serve our customers and can help create new and innovative solutions," Williams says.  "My new position expands our platform to further extend and enhance our economic inclusion initiatives."

Under Williams' leadership as director of economic inclusion, Messer received the 2006 Ohio Governor's Minority Business Development Award -- the only construction firm (and majority-owned firm), to earn the distinction.

Messer has also received the Kentuckiana Minority Business Council's Corporate Leadership Award for Excellence for four consecutive years, and, in that time, has increased its purchases of minority-owned businesses and women-owned businesses from $31 million to $89 million.

"My major efforts will focus on supplier diversity and creating bridges to help successful minority and women business owners become partners with Messer Construction," Williams says.  "We will continue to recruit and retain diverse, talented individuals so we can continue driving innovation through diversity.  In addition, I remain committed to listening to our clients and assisting them in addressing the needs and concerns they have around economic inclusion."

Founded in 1932, Messer Construction Co. is a regional construction manager and general contractor that ranks among the top 100 largest nationally, putting in place approximately $670 million in commercial construction last year.

Writer: Kevin LeMaster
Sources: Stanford T. Williams, Jr., vice president of economic inclusion, Messer Construction Co.; Jim Kapp, public relations manager, Messer Construction Co.
Photography provided by Messer Construction Co.