About Kevin Williams

Founder · Vistage Chair

Cognizant Leadership helps owners of privately held companies set a clear direction, get good people around them, and build teams that work well together. I give leaders tools to see their natural tendencies and understand what it feels like to work for them.

I've spent 30 years in engineering and leadership roles in the US and Europe. At Avtec, a privately held software company, I led product, marketing and strategy and became president. Revenue grew from $11 million to $45 million, averaging 23% a year for seven years, until the company was acquired by Motorola. I built the strategic plan that moved Avtec from hardware to software and recurring revenue and presented it to the company's board of advisors. I've also served on a company advisory board through its sale.

I founded Cognizant Leadership to give owners and leaders practical tools built for lasting change. I've been a Vistage member since 2010 and a Vistage Chair since 2019, leading CEO and key executive groups in the South Carolina Midlands and the CSRA around Augusta. Since 2020 I've spent over 2,000 hours with members in group meetings and one-on-ones.

I have a BSEE from the University of South Florida and an MBA from the University of Nebraska. I'm a Certified Executive Coach through the Center for Executive Coaching, a GiANT Worldwide Master Coach, and a TEDx speaker. More on my background is on LinkedIn.