Melanie Williams

About Melanie Williams

Senior leader with P&L and strategic advisory experience driving growth, operational excellence, customer-first innovation across telecommunications, technology, and public service. Recognized for transforming legacy operations into high-performing business units with a proven ability to deliver margin performance year over year while executing strategies with precision and empowering employees as co-creators of success. Known for developing leadership programs where 100% of direct reports are cross-trained across territories and functions, creating versatile leaders able to step into any role with confidence and deliver results immediately. Highly sought after for these capabilities, consistently ranked among the top 10% of executives for delivering transformative, scalable solutions with long-term impact.As Region President and Director at Verizon, led operations, every sales channel & marketing with full P&L responsibility, delivering $1B+ in annual sales growth and margin-positive P&L at the height of the transition. Introduced the company’s first Customer Retention Call Center and Mobile Coach Technology with both later adopted as national best-practice models.At Frontier Communications, scaled operations across a ten-state region with employees and accountable for a multi-hundred million P&L. Achieved nearly 9% annual cost savings, a 16-month budget under-run, and record-breaking performance in adoption, retention, and profitability. Guided teams through three corporate transitions and restructures, accelerating expansion and establishing new performance baselines.In public service, serve as Board Director and Strategic Advisor for Hillsborough Transit Authority, representing 1.5M residents and overseeing $160M+ operating and capital budgets. Provide guidance across Finance & Audit, Operations & Safety, ADA Compliance, and External Relations, ensuring accessible, reliable, and sustainable transit solutions that enhance community connectivity.Core Strengths• Strategic Growth & P&L Management• Enterprise Transformation & Product Launch• Employee-Centric Leadership & Change Management• Customer Experience & Retention Strategy• Board & Community Advisory ExpertiseAwards & Recognition• National Organization of Women Corporate Directors (2024)• Hillsborough Area Regional Transit Authority Mayor Appointment (2018, 2021, 2024)• Exceptional Women Awardees Foundation Cohort of Women Leaders Award (2020)• ONYX Magazine “Women on the Move” Honoree (2019)• Tampa Bay Business Journal Businesswoman of the Year Finalist (2017, 2018)

Experience

1. Board Director and Strategic Advisor

   Hillsborough Area Regional Transit

   May 2018 — Present

   Provide strategic oversight for a $160M+ annual operating and capital budget, ensuring fiscal discipline, operational efficiency, and sustainable growth.Champion ADA compliance and accessibility, embedding inclusive design in all transit projects from inception to delivery.Guide approval and oversight of multimillion-dollar federal funding, ensuring uninterrupted ADA-compliant operations.Strengthen partnerships with government agencies, accessibility advocates, and private-sector leaders to influence policy, funding, and operational strategy.Chair/Vice Chair for Finance & Audit, Operations & Safety, and External Relations committees.Key Skills: Board Governance, Fiscal Oversight, Strategic Planning, ADA Compliance, Community Engagement, Public-Private Partnerships

Education

• Nova Southeastern University

  Bachelor's of Science (B.S.), Management

• Dallas Baptist University

  Master of Arts - MA, Executive and Leadership Development

Skills

• Telecommunications
• Leadership
• Sales Operations
• Call Centers
• Team Building
• Strategy
• Management
• Customer Retention
• Process Improvement
• Start-Ups
• Vendor Management
• Customer Satisfaction
• Program Management
• Sales Process
• Sales
• Strategic Planning
• E-Commerce
• Service Delivery
• Business Transformation
• Employee Engagement
• Change Management
• Budget Oversight