Jack Williams

Honorary Board Member

Jack Williams is a Knoxville native and 1960 Rule High School graduate, Jack Williams was raised in the city’s Lonsdale area. He graduated from the University of Tennessee in 1964 with a B.S. in history, after which he worked in the government and private sectors, in 1970 joining the University of Tennessee development office as director of special gifts. He retired in 2006 after 36 years of service, during which time he served as vice chancellor for Development and Alumni Affairs for UT and vice president for Development and Alumni Affairs in the UT system and was involved in several mini-campaigns and all university-wide major campaigns. He is the past president of the East Tennessee Historical Society, an honorary board member of the Friends of the Smokies, past board member of the Knoxville Symphony Orchestra, an advisor to the Museum of Appalachia and other non-profits, and is on the board of the East Tennessee Mental Health Association. He and his wife, Carolyn, enjoy two children and five grandchildren. His hobbies include photography, hiking, golf, and music.