PNNL

Joseph Williams worked to promote a run of unprecedented economic growth during tenure as Gov. Jay Inslee’s ICT sector lead

Joseph Williams has joined PNNL as the new director for its office in Seattle, Wash. Located in the heart of South Lake Union, the office is home to more than 130 researchers and support staff spanning PNNL’s national security and energy and environment missions.

“Joseph brings to our laboratory a deep understanding of Seattle’s tech industry and how we can leverage our favorable location in one of the most innovative and economically important regions in the world,” said Tony Peurrung, associate laboratory director for national security at PNNL.

Prior to PNNL, Williams served as the information and communications technology (ICT) sector lead for the governor of the State of Washington and director of ICT economic development. In this positioned he identified and nurtured new industry subsectors such as quantum computing, blockchain, augmented/virtual reality, artificial intelligence and machine learning, autonomous vehicles, and additive manufacturing. He also has experience with companies of all scales, ranging from startups to large-scale industry and government partners.

PNNL’s Seattle presence dates back more than 40 years and complements the lab’s main campus in Richland, Wash. The Seattle office is nestled alongside and partnering with some of the nation’s top tech companies, research institutions, and universities with a focus on computing and data analytics, homeland security, and nonproliferation research.

“Our Seattle location presents a unique avenue for a U.S. Department of Energy national laboratory to bring top talent, courageous discovery, and innovation to our sponsors and mission areas,” said Peurrung

Williams holds undergraduate and advanced degrees from University of California-Berkley, the University of Wisconsin-Madison, and the University of Texas-Austin.  He assumed his new role, based in the National Security Directorate at PNNL, June 24.