The Board

Donna N. Williams

Vice-Chair
Term Expires: August 31, 2023

Donna N. Williams is a vice president and program manager for Parsons Transportation Group, Inc., a subsidiary of the Parsons Corporation, a global engineering and construction leader in facilities, advanced technology, and management processes. She has 30+ years of program and project management, business development, and engineering design and construction experience in both government and private sectors.

Mrs. Williams manages two multi-year contracts with the City of Houston for the Houston Airport System (HAS). The IAH Terminal Redevelopment Program (ITRP) is a 1.3 billion dollars capital improvement program designed to modernize and expand all facilities located on the north ramp, except for Terminal A. The contract covers a wide range of project management support services for all phases of the ITRP Program (initiation, definition, design, procurement, construction, commissioning and activation, and closeout). The Infrastructure Extension of Staff (IDES) Services is a multi-million-dollar contract that provides support as an extension of existing HAS staff, in managing and executing its’ ongoing capital renewal and operations and maintenance infrastructure responsibilities (programs, projects and other related initiatives).

Governor Greg Abbott appointed Mrs. Williams to the Higher Education Coordinating Board (March 2018) and Vice Chair (2021). Previously, she served ten years on the Texas State University Board of Regents — vice chairman of the board (2011 & 2012) and chairman of the board (2013 & 2014). During her tenure she was on the search committee for the current Commissioner of Higher Education, Mrs. Williams chaired the search committee leading to the selection of the chancellor of the Texas State University System as well as actively participated in several of the system’s universities presidential search selections.

Additionally, Mrs. Williams is a member of the Texas State University System Foundation Board of Directors, the Texas Higher Education Foundation Board, and the Laura W. Bush Institute for Women’s Health National Advisory Board. President George W. Bush appointed, and the United States Senate confirmed Mrs. Williams as a Director of the Corporation for National and Community Service (2003-2006). She is the past Board Chair of the Justin F. Kimball High School Academy of Hospitality and Tourism.

She has received numerous city, state, and national accolades for her work, including: The City of Houston’s Champions of Diversity Professional Services Contractor of the Year honoree (2019). The US Black Engineer & Information Technology Magazine recognized Mrs. Williams as One of the 100 Most Important Blacks in Technology (2006). Eclipse Magazine’s Tribute to “2008 Women That Mean Business” featured Mrs. Williams; she received the Women’s Transportation Seminar for the Greater Dallas/Fort Worth Chapter’s “Woman of Inspiration” award (2002); served on the Corporation’s Leadership Council (1999); and received the Parsons’ “Engineer of the Year” award (1993).

Mrs. Williams received a Bachelor of Science in mechanical engineering from Prairie View A&M University (1982) and is a recognized University Distinguished Alumnus;  she and her best friend, The Honorable Michael L. Williams, former Texas Energy & Education Commissioner, and current Distinguished Leader in Residence at the University of North Texas at Dallas, celebrate 36+ years of marriage.

Contact the Board

via USPS c/o THECB
PO Box 12788
Austin, TX 78711