ASCE has honored Warren J. Williams, P.E., M.ASCE, with the 2021 Outstanding Public Official Award for his inclusive leadership style, which has contributed to the extraordinary success of Arlington, Texas, and the civil engineering profession. With strategic partnerships, he has empowered Arlington’s citizens to make the city culturally inviting as well as both an innovation hub and an economic success.

Williams is president and CEO of the civil engineering design and planning firm Graham Associates Inc., and has served as the mayor of Arlington since 2015. He was the civil engineer on many landmark projects in Arlington, such as AT&T Stadium, Glove Life Park, Parks Mall, IH-30 Three Bridges, and River Legacy Living Science Center.

In his engineering capacity Williams has managed the planning and layout of all the roadways and infrastructure in the entertainment district of Arlington, which includes the Ballpark and Cowboys Stadium. Under his direction, Graham Associates also planned the Nebraska Furniture Mart and related development for the City of the Colony.

He has had the privilege of working in cities and counties all over the metroplex and truly enjoys building communities through the work of engineering. He is a gifted speaker and communicator with an ability to anticipate challenges while casting a vision. He is also one of the leading economic development professional in the State of Texas. These and other skills have been recognized by Texas Tech University, who made Williams a Distinguished College of Engineering alumnus.

The Outstanding Public Official Award (formerly known as Civil Government Award) recognizes those members of the engineering profession who have rendered meritorious service in elective or appointive positions in government.

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