Jerry Williams has extensive experience in investment banking and the securities industry over his long and illustrious career. In 1968, after ten years in the securities industry, he founded Williams Securities Group, Inc., a regional market maker and investment bank. In 1991, Mr. Williams sold his successful business to Robert W. Baird, Inc., and there served as Senior Vice President for the subsequent eight years.

Within the securities industry, Mr. Williams has held several high-profile positions, including: Governor, and later President, of the Florida Security Dealers Association; Vice Chair of the District Committee, and later a member, of The Board and Executive Committee of the National Association of Securities Dealers, Inc.; and a member of the Board of Directors of the NASDAQ Stock Market, Inc.

He has also been active civically, with the Tampa General Hospital Foundation, United Way of Tampa Bay, University of South Florida Foundation, Tampa Bay Performing Arts Center and the Community Foundation of Tampa Bay. As a member of the Capital Campaign Executive Committee for DePauw University, he participated in the largest fundraising campaign ever achieved by a liberal arts university.

From 2002 to the present, Mr. Williams has been on the Board of Directors and Chaired the Finance Committee of Gemesis Corp., a manufacturer of gem quality diamonds.

Mr. Williams holds a B.A. degree from DePauw University and an M.B.A. in Finance from The Wharton School.