Michelle Williams, 26 / Digital Marketing Specialist, R&K Solutions, Inc.
Since joining R&K Solutions, Inc., Michelle Williams has mastered the use of over a dozen technology tools to support the company’s communication strategy. In addition, she manages the conferences and tradeshows program at R&K, including coordination of annual source selection, preparation of annual budgets and marketing materials; she now sits as Chair of the R&K Employee Ownership Communications Committee and spearheads communication and marketing. Williams has earned several recognitions, including the Charles R. Edmunson Scholarship and winner of the 2020 “Intranet” AACE category for businesses with less than 250 employees. She volunteers year-round for multiple organizations, including PLAY Roanoke, RVPSCA and Angels of Assisi, Feeding America and Habitat for Humanity. “I’m very passionate about connecting with people, harvesting creativity and pushing myself and my team to try our best and grow,” Williams says. “Giving back … helps us grow, not only professionally, but as one community.”
- Earned Bachelor’s degrees in Marketing, Radford University, 2016
- Maintains all of R&K’s social media marketing
- Manages the conferences and tradeshows program at R&K, including coordination of annual source selection, preparation of annual budgets, coordinating conferences/tradeshow booths and travel, and creating and editing individual conference/tradeshow marketing materials
- Spearheads internal communication and marketing for employee-owners
- Has been a member of the R&K Employee Ownership Communications Committee (EOCC) since 2017, now sits as Chair of the committee
- Winner of the 2019 “Printed Materials” category for the Annual Awards for Communications Excellence (AACE) for businesses with less than 250 employees
- Winner of the 2020 “Intranet” AACE category for businesses with less than 250 employees
- Received title of “2019 Employee-Owner of the Year” for the Mid Atlantic Chapter of the ESOP Association
- Received the “Charles R. Edmunson Scholarship” from the Employee Ownership Foundation
- Volunteered for:
- Adult Field Day
- Greenway Clean Up
- Linus Project Participant
- Franklin County Humane Society and Planned Pethood
- Roanoke Valley SPCA
- Angels of Assisi
- Montgomery County Humane Society
- American Red Cross Donator
- Feeding America
- Elm Park Estates
- Habitat for Humanity
- Your CBD Store Booth
- Our Lady of the Valley Senior Pen Pal Participant
From the Nomination: “As a graduate of Radford University in Marketing approaching her fourth year as a Digital Marketing Specialist at R&K Solutions, Michelle Williams has mastered the use of over a dozen technology tools to improve her ability to support the company communication strategy. This includes graphic design software, video/recording software, presentation software, content management systems, search engine optimization, social media management software and more. Williams manages the company website content and during this time has picked up some unexpected coding skills along the way. … Williams is set apart by her incredible positive attitude and ability to work with people collaboratively to communicate complex scenarios in a meaningful way. As an example, because she understood the value of the R&K Employee Ownership Communications Committee, she sought to be a member of this team, she was not ‘tasked’ with it. Her ability to learn a new technology, product, or business process to make progress towards organizational goals is outstanding and she is capable of working in an iterative process with a wide range of staff types. She continually seeks to make a positive impact on the organization and local community.”
What do you love about Roanoke?
Williams: “Roanoke is my home. While there are plenty of other communities around the country that offer opportunities and perks, Roanoke is a town where you can turn those opportunities into accomplishments. Our members of the community genuinely care about making Roanoke a better place to live, whether that means adding new additions to parks, cleaning up hiking trails, or donating your time and efforts to a cause – the people in the Roanoke community care about the town and our neighbors that inhabit it.”
How does your passion impact our community?
Williams: “I’m very passionate about connecting with people, harvesting creativity, and pushing myself and my team to try our best and grow. By working hard and donating my time and efforts towards community opportunities, I hope to inspire my peers to do the same. Giving back to our communities helps us grow, not only professionally, but as one community.”
