Transportation Programs Division Director
Charon Williams serves as director of Transportation Programs.
Williams oversees day-to-day operations related to project and portfolio management, local government programs, and engineering operations support and reporting. Her team is dedicated to establishing efficient business practices, consistent standards and procedures, and developing technological solutions to achieve outstanding safety, planning, design, construction, and maintenance performance.
Williams began her career in the oil and gas industry before joining TxDOT in 2006. Over the years, she has held numerous roles, including utility coordinator, engineering assistant, local government projects coordinator, business operations project manager, and utility portfolio section director. Prior to her current role, she served as the deputy director of the Right of Way Division, managing all aspects of the portfolio of right-of-way projects.
Williams has been instrumental in implementing transformational improvements at TxDOT, participating in various program improvement initiatives such as partnering, agency modernization, program management, transportation research, and software development. Her contributions have earned her multiple Journey Toward Excellence awards, the Raymond E. Stotzer, Jr. Award, and the Wanted: Outstanding Woman Award. She has also been recognized as one of the Women Leaders Advancing Transportation and received the President’s Transportation Award for Partnerships from the American Association of State Highway and Transportation Officials.
In addition to her professional achievements, Williams contributes to the transportation and engineering industries at the national level. She is a contributing member of the ASCE 38 Committee, which published the newest ASCE 38-22 Standards related to investigating and documenting utilities.
Williams holds a bachelor's degree from Texas Southern University and a master's degree from St. Edward's University. She is also a graduate of the AASHTO Leadership and Graduate Leadership programs and the WTS International Signature Leadership Program.