Jeff Williams
President and CEO, Graham Associates
Author, The Unity Blueprint
Unity is not something that just happens. We have to work at it. It’s a journey.
Summary
In this episode of Leadership Matters, Alan Fleischmann sits down with Jeff Williams, President and CEO of Graham Associates, former Mayor of Arlington, Texas, and author of The Unity Blueprint. Jeff shares his journey from growing up in a small Texas town to leading major civic and infrastructure projects that shaped one of America’s fastest-growing cities.
Drawing on his experience as a civil engineer and public servant, Jeff discusses how unity, trust and character drive sustainable leadership. He reflects on building world-class developments like AT&T Stadium and Texas Live!, guiding Arlington through the COVID-19 pandemic, and helping bring the National Medal of Honor Museum to life. Throughout the conversation, Jeff offers practical insights on aligning people with purpose, valuing diverse perspectives, and leading through division with integrity.
Mentions & Resources
The Unity Blueprint: Aligning People & Purpose for Lifelong Success by Jeff Williams
Guest Bio
A CEO, engineer and former mayor who puts unity first, Jeff Williams has spent his life designing places and strategies that bring people together and create a sense of belonging, whether it’s a park, a stadium or an entire city. He is responsible for transforming Arlington into the largest entertainment hub between Orlando and Vegas and making it the “sports capital of the nation,” attracting more than 15 million visitors every year.
In his career as a civil engineer, CEO of Graham Associates and former mayor, he successfully fought for the bid to bring the National Medal of Honor Museum to Arlington, secured buy-in from Fortune 500 businesses and executives to develop the Texas Live! District, kept the Texas Rangers in town when they threatened to leave, built the largest e-sports arena in the U.S. and developed an entertainment hub that is going to host more games in the 2026 FIFA World Cup than any other city.
At the heart of it all, Jeff says there is one principle worthy of the credit: unity. Now, in his first book, The Unity Blueprint, Jeff shares real-world stories and actionable strategies that prove unity isn’t just an ideal, it’s a powerful leadership tool. Whether you’re leading in business, government or a community organization, Jeff’s message is clear: unity is always worth the investment.
Episode Transcript
Transcript to be uploaded upon episode’s premiere.