Darrell K. Williams Explained

Darrell K. Williams should not be confused with Darryl A. Williams.

Darrell Williams
Office:President of Hampton University
Term Start:July 1, 2022
Predecessor:William R. Harvey
Birth Place:West Palm Beach, Florida, U.S.
Education:Hampton University (BA)
United States Army Command and General Staff College (MMAS)
National War College (MS)
Pennsylvania State University, University Park (MBA)
Allegiance: United States
Serviceyears:1983–2020
Rank:Lieutenant General
Commands:1st Theater Sustainment Command
Army Combined Arms Support Command

Darrell K. Williams, is an American U.S. Army military leader and university president. He served as a general officer in the United States Army directing the Defense Logistics Agency until July 8, 2020.[1] [2] He was previously the Commanding General, Combined Arms Support Command, the Sustainment Center of Excellence (SCoE) as well as the Senior Mission Commander for Fort Lee, Virginia. He currently oversees the Logistics Commodities and Services Transformation Program on behalf of the United Kingdom's Ministry of Defence as a Leidos Vice President and managing director.[3] Williams is the founding chair of the Mary S. Peake Fellowship, a one-year program for next-generation leaders helping local businesses grow, named in honor of Mary S. Peake.[4]

On April 13, 2022, Hampton University announced Williams as the next president, succeeding William R. Harvey who became Hampton's president in 1978.[5] [6]

Early life

A native of West Palm Beach, Florida, Williams was commissioned into the Army Quartermaster Corps at Hampton Institute, Hampton, Virginia in 1983. He was a Distinguished Military Graduate and also earned a Bachelor of Arts degree in Psychology. He also became a member of Gamma Iota chapter of Alpha Phi Alpha fraternity.

Education

His post graduate education includes: Master's degree in Military Arts and Sciences from the School of Advanced Military Studies of the United States Army Command and General Staff College, Fort Leavenworth, Kansas; Master's degree in National Security and Strategic Studies (Distinguished Graduate) from the National War College, Fort McNair, Washington D.C.; and master's degree in Business Management (Logistics) from the Pennsylvania State University, State College, PA in 1991.[7]

Military career

Williams has commanded logistics units at the company, battalion, brigade, and enterprise levels and has served in key staff positions at the tactical, operational/joint and strategic levels. His prior assignments include: Deputy Chief of Staff, U.S. Army Materiel Command (AMC), Redstone Arsenal, Alabama; Commander, Defense Logistics Agency (DLA) Land and Maritime in Columbus, Ohio; Director of Logistics, Engineering and Security Assistance, J-4, Headquarters, United States Pacific Command (USPACOM), Hawaii; Executive Officer to the Army Deputy Chief of Staff, G-4 (Army G-4); Brigade Commander, 3d Sustainment Brigade, Fort Stewart, Georgia; and Deputy C-4, Coalition Forces Land Component Command (CFLCC), Camp Arifjan, Kuwait during Operations Enduring (OEF), Iraqi Freedom (OIF).

Williams previously commanded the 1st Sustainment Command (Theater) where he was responsible for providing theater sustainment to Army forces and elements of the Joint Force throughout the U.S. Central Command (USCENTCOM) Area of Responsibility, to include Afghanistan and Iraq, under the mission command of U.S. Army Central (USARCENT).

Awards and decorations

Army Distinguished Service Medal with two bronze oak leaf clusters
Defense Superior Service Medal
Legion of Merit with two oak leaf clusters
Bronze Star Medal with oak leaf cluster
Meritorious Service Medal with two oak leaf clusters
Army Commendation Medal with silver oak leaf cluster
Army Achievement Medal with oak leaf cluster
Joint Meritorious Unit Award with oak leaf cluster
Superior Unit Award
National Defense Service Medal with one bronze service star
Kosovo Campaign Medal with service star
Afghanistan Campaign Medal with two service stars
Iraq Campaign Medal with service star
Global War on Terrorism Expeditionary Medal
Global War on Terrorism Service Medal
Korea Defense Service Medal
Army Service Ribbon
Army Overseas Service Ribbon with bronze award numeral 7
NATO Medal for Kosovo

Notes and References

  1. cite web|url=https://www.dla.mil/AboutDLA/News/NewsArticleView/Article/2268547/williams-says-farewell-in-relinquishment-of-dla-command/|title=DLA Leaders|website=Defense Logistics Agency|accessdate=2021-07-17
  2. Web site: DLA Leaders. Defense Logistics Agency. 2017-06-16.
  3. Web site: Leidos Taps Darrell Williams to Manage UK Defense Logistics Program. Defense Logistics Agency. July 15, 2021. 2021-07-17.
  4. Web site: LIEUTENANT GENERAL DARRELL K. WILLIAMS (RET.) FOUNDING BOARD CHAIR . 2022-04-13 .
  5. News: Reese . Brian . Williams named Hampton University's 13th president . . 2022-04-13 . 2022-04-13 .
  6. Web site: Hampton University Names Alumnus and Retired Three-Star General Darrell Williams as New President . . 2022-04-13 . 2022-04-13 .
  7. Web site: U.S. military logistics director to speak at Penn State Smeal leadership series . January 15, 2018 . Penn State News . 2021-01-04.