Matt W.

Background

About Matt W.

Matthew G. Williams is the Organizational Resilience Coordinator for University Organizational Resilience - Northern Command. In this role, he leads resilience efforts for the northern institutions within the Nevada System of Higher Education, including the University of Nevada, Reno. His responsibilities include overseeing all-hazard planning to prepare for and respond to incidents that may impact the system. Originally from Swansea, South Wales, in the United Kingdom, Mr. Williams now calls Northern Nevada home, where he and his high school sweetheart are raising their three children. He earned a Bachelor of Arts in Political Science with an emphasis in International Relations and a minor in English Literature from the University of Nevada, Reno. Mr. Williams began his government service in 2014 with the Nevada State Police, working as an analyst for the Major Crimes Unit/Tri-NET Narcotics Task Force within the Nevada Division of Investigation. In this role, he collaborated with state and federal law enforcement agencies on high-profile cases involving homicides, political corruption, sex crimes, and narcotics interdiction. In 2016, he transitioned into emergency management with the Nevada Division of Emergency Management and Homeland Security. During his tenure, he played a key role in responding to a wide range of local, state, and federally declared disasters, including wildland fires, floods, civil unrest, the 1 October mass casualty incident,"Storm Area 51," and the COVID-19 pandemic, where he led statewide planning efforts as the Planning Section Chief in the State Emergency Operations Center. Beyond his current role, Mr. Williams represents the higher education community on the Local Emergency Preparedness Committees for Washoe County and Carson City. He has also held various elected positions on the board of the Nevada Emergency Preparedness Association, including serving as its 4th President, representing over 200 emergency management professionals statewide. Before entering public service, Mr. Williams worked in the private sector, specializing in continuous improvement strategy for a Fortune 500 company. He holds certifications as a Lean Six Sigma Green Belt from the International Association of Six Sigma Certification and as a Nevada Emergency Manager from the Nevada Emergency Preparedness Association.