AUGUST 17, 2023 — Terri Williams, associate regional director of the UTSA SBDC Center for Government Contracting died on August 6 following a long illness. She was 59.
“Terri was so giving to the community and passionate about her work as an economic developer,” said Rod McSherry, UTSA associate vice president of innovation and economic development. “I was always impressed with how involved and engaged she was, constantly connecting people and ideas to make things better.”
Williams began her career at UTSA in 2011 as director of the UTSA SBDC Center for Government Contracting (CGC) and rose to be the center’s associate regional director. As the regional director, Williams was responsible for managing staff and overseeing federal, state and privately funded programs that assisted small business owners and women in contracting. She served as the president of the Association of Procurement Technical Assistance Centers (APTAC) from 2020 to 2021.
In 2016, Williams was invited to speak on a panel organized by then San Antonio Mayor Ivy Taylor that honored women in public service and government. She also participated in annual trips to Washington, DC, on behalf the UTSA Texas South-West (TXSW) SBDC Network, where she advocated on behalf of small and women-owned businesses. In March, 2019, she provided crucial testimony to the Committee on Small Business—discussing challenges and solutions for small business cyber security issues and access to broad band Internet for small businesses in rural areas.
In 2023, Williams played an instrumental role securing federal funding to launch an SBDC procurement academy to help small business contractors access affordable capital and bonding. She and the SBDC leadership team worked with U.S. Congressman Joaquin Castro to get funding for the procurement academy.
In addition to working fulltime and supporting numerous organizations, she earned her master’s degree in public administration from UTSA. As part of the institution’s commencement ceremonies this December, Williams’ degree will be conferred posthumously.
Williams won numerous awards including the San Antonio Hispanic Chamber of Commerce Innovation Award in 2017. She was recognized by the San Antonio Business Journal in 1999 with the 40 Under 40 Rising Star Award, and again in 2015 with the Women in Leadership Award.
Investing in future generations was Williams’ passion. She was elected to the board of trustees for the North East Independent School District (NEISD) in 2018, and was currently serving as the vice president of the board. In 2021, she was elected to a three-year term on the Board of Directors for the Texas Association of School Boards (TASB), where she represented Region 20, which serves San Antonio. Williams’ work with the TASB allowed her to pursue her passion for working diligently to provide the educational opportunities children need to achieve their personal best for success academically and in life.
In lieu of flowers, Williams’ family encourages a tax-deductible donation to the Pals Educational Foundation, in her honor.
A wake for Williams will be held at Mt. Zion First Baptist Church from 5 p.m. to 7 p.m. on Friday, August 18. A Homegoing Service will be held at Mt. Zion Church, beginning at 10 a.m. on Saturday, August 19.
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