Robert Williams is a state and local government affairs leader with deep experience at the intersection of innovation and public policy. He currently serves as Vice President of State and Local Issues and head of the Technology Practice at Stateside Associates, where he serves as a high-level advisor to Fortune 500 companies and high-growth start-ups, providing the strategic guidance necessary to clear regulatory hurdles and build political capital. His work spans AI, telecommunications, fintech, and next-generation infrastructure, giving him a broad perspective on how public policy can shape emerging technologies.

 

Robert previously served in the Biden administration's Commerce Department as Deputy Director of Intergovernmental Affairs for the National Telecommunications and Information Administration (NTIA). As the administration’s liaison to state and local elected officials, he helped guide the rollout of more than $48 billion in national “Internet for All” investments to expand high-speed internet access and support digital inclusion efforts across all 50 states and the territories.

 

Prior to his federal service, Robert advised a diverse portfolio of clients on their multistate government affairs strategies as a Senior Public Policy Strategist for a top global law firm and as a Senior Political Director at Stateside. He has lobbied in state capitals across the country for clients in industries ranging from transportation and telecommunications to gaming.

 

Before joining the private sector, Robert established a reputation as a trusted bridge-builder between the political and business communities. As Director of Corporate Relations for the Democratic Legislative Campaign Committee from 2016-2018, Robert set fundraising records and helped flip eleven chambers to Democratic control. Before the DLCC, he worked for the bipartisan National Conference of State Legislatures in Denver. 

 

Robert got his start in politics working on campaigns in his home state of South Carolina. He earned a Bachelor of Arts in Political Science from the College of Charleston.