Meet Marlene Williams, one of the “30 Under 30” rising stars of Florida politics

30 under 30 - marlene williams

When General Motors needs the Legislature to know its concerns, it turns to Marlene Williams.

She’s the Southeast Regional Manager of Government Relations for the auto company, responsible for Florida, Alabama, and South Carolina.

Williams learned her trade in the capital, having been legislative affairs director for the Department of Management Services under Gov. Rick Scott. She began in lobbying at a private law firm.

She and her husband, Andrew, live in Tallahassee with their daughter, Mae Marie.

Here’s Williams in her own words:

I am … 28 years old.

I live in … Tallahassee.

I got into politics … by accident. Unsure what I wanted to be when I grew up, I decided to give “the process” a whirl. One session and I was hooked.

One principle I always put above politics … is integrity. It is the key to success in this industry and in life.

Person who gave me my first shotBob Harris.

I’ve already worked on … a number of issues for a multiclient firm, an executive branch agency, and now, a company that sits among the top 10 in the Fortune 500 rankings: General Motors.

When I begin a project or first work on a campaign … I look for the facts. One must be educated on an issue in order to develop a winning strategy.

I’ve been blessed to have these people as my mentors … my grandmother, Marlene McGinn, and Stacy Arias.

The people I most admire in politics … are those who have mastered the work-life balance.

One lesson I’ve already learned … is where there’s a will there’s a way.

If I wasn’t working in politics … I’d be working as a procurement consultant.

In 10 years, you’ll read about me … hopefully, you won’t read about me. I prefer to stay out of the limelight.

Jim Rosica

Jim Rosica is the Tallahassee-based Senior Editor for Florida Politics. He previously was the Tampa Tribune’s statehouse reporter. Before that, he covered three legislative sessions in Florida for The Associated Press. Jim graduated from law school in 2009 after spending nearly a decade covering courts for the Tallahassee Democrat, including reporting on the 2000 presidential recount. He can be reached at [email protected].



#FlaPol

Florida Politics is a statewide, new media platform covering campaigns, elections, government, policy, and lobbying in Florida. This platform and all of its content are owned by Extensive Enterprises Media.

Publisher: Peter Schorsch @PeterSchorschFL

Contributors & reporters: Phil Ammann, Drew Dixon, Roseanne Dunkelberger, A.G. Gancarski, William March, Ryan Nicol, Jacob Ogles, Cole Pepper, Jesse Scheckner, Drew Wilson, and Mike Wright.

Email: [email protected]
Twitter: @PeterSchorschFL
Phone: (727) 642-3162
Address: 204 37th Avenue North #182
St. Petersburg, Florida 33704