Jim Williams

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Jim Williams, a Chicago native, is the founder and CEO of M.O.R.E. Computer Supplies, a Michigan based company that provides a full line of office products from computers and office furniture, to gift baskets and paper clips. Jim is semi retired and is in the third year of a five year plan for employees to purchase his interest, and is looking forward to the completion of the process. He was also the founder and CEO of Pioneer Automotive, another Michigan based company that provided engineering services and light manufacturing to the North American automobile industry.

M.O.R.E. Computer Supplies was once selected supplier of the year by Blue Cross/Blue Shield of Michigan, and is a current supplier to both Office Max and Staples.

Pioneer Automotive was selected as a co-source on the General Motors Tool Shop List by GM NA Finance, and was annually registered with the International Standards Organization (ISO) as compliant with its quality control standards. Pioneer was also awarded the Ford Motor Company highly coveted Q1 quality standard, and was certified by The Defense Logistics Agency to provide products and services to the Defense Department. Chrysler, Nissan and Honda are all past clients.

Although Jim’s business life was one of full engagement, he found time to serve as the Chairman of the Scholarship Fund of the National Association of Black Automotive Suppliers (NABAS), for a period of three years. NABAS was founded by former NBA star Dave Bing, and to date, has funded scholarships in excess of one million dollars to inner-city youth, and can claim a college graduation rate of eighty-seven percent. He was named Chairman Emeritus at the end of his three year term, and Dave became the Mayor of Detroit. Jim likes to say, “my job is now easier than Daves.”

He has been a guest lecturer at the Howard University Graduate School of Business, presenting his views on the elements of entrepreneurship. He also served honorably in the United States Army from 1962 until 1965. Jim’s wife Kathryn, is a Vice President in the commercial lending division of a substantial international banking institution. His daughter Charisse, was the founding Director of Posse Atlanta, a local site of The Posse Foundation, and was subsequently appointed President of Young Audiences, a division of The Woodruff Arts Center. For the first time in more than twenty years, they all reside in the same city, Atlanta.

Although not a musician, he claims that no one has tried more times with more instruments than he has, until he finally decided that just loving music was good enough.

Jim is excited to support the social and academic development of deserving young people; and never imagined his favorite medium, music, would be the tool.