Joe Williams, longtime Fresno business and political leader and Fresno City College alumnus, is the 2010 recipient of the Leon S. Peters Award. The annual award, presented by the Greater Fresno Area Chamber of Commerce, recognizes lifetime achievement in business and community leadership.

“I’m deeply humbled and shocked,” Joe said of the award. Joe is president of Richard Heath and Associates, a social program management firm, and has been serving the Fresno community both publicly and privately for more than 40 years.

At the age of 9, Joe moved to Fresno from Mississippi. He attended Edison High School and Fresno City College before graduating in 1967 from Fresno State College (later renamed California State University, Fresno) with a bachelor’s degree in social welfare and a minor in psychology.

“I’ve always wanted to make sure I clearly understood what was going on in the community and what the needs are,” he said.

“I’ve always wanted to make sure I clearly understood what was going on in the community and what the needs are.” – Joe Williams

Soon after graduation, Joe was appointed executive director of the Fresno County Economic Opportunities Commission (EOC), where he served for 22 years. During his time there, he helped establish successful programs emphasizing early education, family health, and job development.

Joe was instrumental in gaining funding for the Fresno Sanctuary, which provides services to runaways and transient youth. The Sanctuary was renamed the Joe Williams Center upon his retirement from the EOC in 1993.

In 1977, Joe was elected to the Fresno City Council, eventually serving two terms. He was Fresno’s first African-American council member. He has also served on the boards of Community Medical Centers, the Fresno State Foundation and Premier Valley Bank.

After leaving the EOC, Joe joined Richard Heath and Associates, continuing his community-focused work at a private company. He served as chief executive officer until 2003, and now oversees the company as president of the board.

Joe received the Fresno City College Distinguished Alumnus Award in 2003 and the Fresno State Outstanding Alumnus Award in 2006. He and his wife Laura have three children and four grandchildren.

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