THE WILLIAMS GROUP’S LEADERSHIP
Our Team
With a combined four decades of experience in government affairs and business advocacy, The Williams Group’s leadership has the skill and expertise to solve clients’ challenges.
MICHAEL WILLIAMS
FOUNDER AND PRESIDENT
The Williams Group is led by Michael Williams, who has more than two decades of experience in business advocacy and strategic communication as well as federal and state government service.
Prior to founding The Williams Group, Michael was a Managing Director of Credit Suisse in the Public Policy Americas division, based in Washington, D.C. He was responsible for maintaining and expanding the Bank's relationships with members and staff of the congressional tax-writing committees and other committees such as Financial Services, Banking and Foreign Relations. Michael was directly involved in the formulation and implementation of the Bank's legislative policies and strategies.
Michael joined Credit Suisse in February 2007 from The Bond Market Association/Securities Industry and Financial Markets Association's Washington, D.C. office, where he was Senior Vice President. In this capacity, he was responsible for representing the Association's views to various congressional committee and regulators. In addition, he oversaw the Association's close working relationships with state and local governments and their representative organizations.
Michael served as Special Assistant to the President and Staff Director for Legislative Affairs during the Clinton Administration, where he was a key member of the White House team responsible for developing and implementing the Administration’s agenda on financial services, tax and international trade legislation. Michael also served as a Deputy Assistant for Congressional Affairs at the Office of the U.S. Trade Representative during the Clinton Administration. Michael has coordinated and participated in numerous election campaigns at the federal, state and local levels. He has also served as a congressional liaison for the National Democratic Convention for more than 14 years.
Michael holds a Bachelor degree in Sociology and Masters in Public Administration from the State University of New York at Albany. He also holds a Masters in Business Administration from the University of Maryland.
LATRICE POWELL
MANAGING DIRECTOR
For more than 13 years, Latrice Powell has dedicated her professional life to serving the public on Capitol Hill, particularly underserved communities of color. In 2006, Latrice joined the U.S. House of Representatives as the Staff Assistant and Office Manager for Representative Bennie Thompson of Mississippi.
In 2011, Latrice rejoined the U.S. House of Representatives as the Operations and Member Services Director for the Congressional Black Caucus under Chairman Emanuel Cleaver and Chairwoman Marcia Fudge.
In 2014, Latrice became an Assistant Cloakroom Manager for the Democratic House Cloakroom under the leadership of Leader Nancy Pelosi where she manages and coordinates floor procedures, voting schedules, and legislative proceedings with 200 Members of Congress, their offices, and visitors to Capitol Hill.
Latrice received her undergraduate education from the University of Maryland and has a Masters in Counseling Psychology from Bowie State University.
JOHNNY PACHECO
MANAGING DIRECTOR
Johnny Pacheco is Managing Director at The Williams Group, with 25 years’ experience in business development, commercial lending, analysis, operational management, strategic goal setting, fiscal management, strategic planning, and implementation.
Prior to joining The Williams Group, Johnny’s experience included working at top-tier financial institutions as well as new entrant disruptors in the industry, where he has demonstrated success directing business transformation and delivering impactful results within the financial services industry.
Johnny received his undergraduate degree from The State University at Albany and his MBA from PACE University.
JONATHAN JACKSON
DIRECTOR
Jonathan Jackson is a Director at The Williams Group, where he brings 11 years of federal government affairs and public policy experience to the firm.
Through analysis and the drafting of legislation, Jonathan has worked to address challenges in areas such as transportation, economic and tax issues, education, housing and homelessness, healthcare, voting rights, and military and veteran initiatives.
His previous experience working for members such as Congresswoman Eddie Bernice Johnson has helped him develop the close working relationships in Congress need for critical legislation such as the Transportation Workforce Modernization Act.
Prior to joining TWG, Jonathan also worked in various roles such as the office of Congressman Cedric Richmond, the Barack H. Obama Administration, the Georgia Department of Health, the U.S. Department of Transportation (DOT), the California State Assembly, and as senior federal lobbyist for Townsend Public Affairs.
He holds a Bachelor degree in Political Science from Morehouse College and a Master of Public Administration and Policy degree from American University.
NZINGA DYSON
DIRECTOR
Nzinga Dyson is a Director at The Williams Group, where she brings seven years of Federal public policy experience to the firm. Nzinga served as Legislative Counsel at the U.S. House of Representatives’ Committee on Homeland Security, where she advised Members of Congress and Committee leadership on legislative and oversight matters that pertained to the administration of the Federal Emergency Management Agency, within the Department of Homeland Security.
Immediately prior to joining The Williams Group, Nzinga served as a National Security Principal at Lewis-Burke Associates, where she used her comprehensive knowledge of the inner-workings of Capitol Hill to advise and support clients with their national security and environmental research-related government relations needs. She also advised clients on strategies to engage Federal research agencies and Capitol Hill.
Nzinga received her Bachelor of Arts degree in Political Science from Morgan State University and her Juris Doctorate degree from the North Carolina Central University School of Law. She was admitted to the Maryland Bar in 2013.
CLAYTRICE HENDERSON
DIRECTOR
As Director at The Williams Group, Claytrice brings over eight years of legislative and policy experience. Before joining the firm, Claytrice was Legislative Director for Congressman Bennie Thompson of Mississippi.
During her time on Capitol Hill, Claytrice oversaw a wide range of issue areas within her legislative portfolio and advised the Member on policy positions and legislative initiatives. She managed relationships with government agencies and stakeholders and led efforts to assist state and local entities in securing congressional appropriations funding.
Claytrice’s prior experience includes three years as a Legislative Assistant on the Committee on Homeland Security. Ms. Henderson is a graduate of Rust College, where she received her Bachelor of Art degree in Political Science/Pre-Law. She also received a Master of Applied Social Science with a concentration in Political Science and a Juris Doctor Degree from Florida A&M University.