Frank L. Williams
President & CEO
Frank’s passion for all things PR developed while he was serving as recruitment chair and public relations chair for the Delta Rho Chapter of Theta Chi Fraternity at N.C. State University. He started working with his first freelance public relations client, who also happened to be a fraternity brother, shortly after graduating from NCSU in 1993. He continued freelancing while working in a number of sales capacities and on several political campaigns before founding Pioneer Strategies in August 2001. A Brunswick County native, Frank lives in Leland with his wife, Lori. They attend Northside Church in Wilmington.
- B.A. in Communication, N.C. State University, 1993
- Leadership North Carolina Class 30, 2022-23
- 100 Counties Prepared Emergency Preparedness Training for Elected Officials, 2022
- North Carolina Leadership Forum, 2021-22 Cohort
- National Association of Counties (NaCo) County Leadership Institute, 2021
- UNC School of Government Advanced Leadership Corps (ALC), 2020
- UNC School of Government Local Elected Leaders Academy (LELA), Mentor Level
- Fellow, N.C. Institute of Political Leadership, Spring 1996
- Grinnell Leadership Jumpstart Program, 2006
- Public Relations Society of America (PRSA), North Carolina Chapter
- President (2023)
- President Elect (2022)
- Vice President (2021)
- PRSA Counselors Academy
- Association Executives of North Carolina (AENC), Affiliate Member
- National Federation of Independent Business (NFIB): Member, N.C. Leadership Council
- Raleigh Public Relations Society: Former President & Vice President
- North Brunswick Chamber of Commerce: founded Power Connections networking event; former board member, former economic development chair
- Promotional Products Association International (PPAI)
- Cape Fear Leadership Forum, Advisory Committee
- N.C. Commission on Volunteerism & Community Service: Former Commissioner (appointed by Governor Pat McCrory)
- Leland Area Rotary Club
- Current President Elect
- Charter Member
- Former President
- Former programs Chair
- Paul Harris Fellow
- Rotary District 7730: former Area 4 Membership Advocate
- Communities in Schools of Brunswick County: former board member
- Cape Fear Council, Boy Scouts of America
- Former executive board member
- Two-time chair of the Leland fundraising breakfast
- Brunswick Community College: former member, Small Business Center Advisory Committee
- Raleigh Jaycees
- Former publicity director
- Electoral College Seminar Chair
- Jaycee Business Network Chair
- Regional Business Forum Chair
- Business Communication Workshop Chair
- Theta Chi Fraternity
- Brother, Delta Rho Chapter
- Former President, Delta Rho Alumni Corporation
- Recipient, North Carolina Emergency Management Director's Award Challenge Coin (2022)
- Southport Magazine Maggie Award, Local Official Who Worked the Hardest During Hurricane Florence (selected by the magazine's readers; 2018)
- Cape Fear Council of Governments Lynwood Norris Regional Champion Award (2015)
- N.C. State University Communication Alumni Circle – Outstanding Alumni Achievement Award (2006)
- Triangle Business Journal “40 Under 40” Leadership Award (2006)
Fishing (when he has time, and the fish usually win), watching ACC sports (Go Wolfpack!), and reading.
Frank is the self-published author of two thriller novels, After the Republic and Convergence. Click here for more information on Frank's books.