Donald L. Williams was elected to Norfolk City Council on July 1, 2002 representing Ward 1. Prior to running for Council, Mr. Williams served as a delegate in the Virginia House of Delegates from 1998-2001. His committee assignments included Counties, Cities, and Towns; General Laws; Conservation & Natural Resources; and Militia & Police.

Mr. Williams is currently president of the Hampton Roads Housing Center. He is a member of the executive committee of the Greater Norfolk Corporation. Additionally, he served on the armed forces committee of the Hampton Roads Chamber of Commerce. He is the founder and former president of the Greater Ocean View Foundation and currently serves as co-chair of the Mayor’s Task Force on Ocean View and co-chair of the Wards Corner Task Force.

Mr. Williams is a former member of the Norfolk City Planning Commission and the Norfolk Clean Community Commission. He served on the Private Industry Council as the Norfolk representative, a position appointed by the governor of Virginia. He is also the former president of the Tidewater Builders Association and a former member of the board of directors of the Tidewater Realtors Association.

Mr. Williams’ numerous awards include an Outstanding Service Award, Mid-Atlantic Insurance Corporation; a Certificate of Appreciation, the Norfolk City Planning Commission; Mayor’s Outstanding Service Award, Norfolk Clean Community; and a Guidance Award, Norfolk Vocational Education Advisory Council.

Mr. Williams graduated from Norview High School in 1960 and attended Old Dominion University. He earned a real estate broker’s license in 1983.

Mr. Williams is a member of the Brentwood Baptist Church. He is married to the former Rose Brothers and they have two children and five grandchildren.