williamson served for 27 years in higher education in south carolina, including 20 in the south carolina technical college system, rising through roles from registrar to dean to two college presidencies (at williamsburg technical college and later northeastern technical college) and then to system president in 2014. from 2008-14, he was in a leadership position with agapé senior, a healthcare-related industry in south carolina. while serving in the private sector, williamson was honored by ashhra with the inaugural gary willis leadership award for outstanding leadership and innovation as a healthcare human resources professional.