Union City Mayor Vince Williams was elected president of GMA during the association’s annual convention on Thursday, July 2.
In 2007, Vince Williams was elected to the Union City, City Council. In this role, he prioritized the creation of a viable economic base by attracting, professional and commercial business. The then-councilmember carried his vision for a full-scale, financially sound community into being elected the 20thMayor of Union City in 2013.
Williams spearheaded the redevelopment of the city’s Central Business District and workforce, increase educational offerings, implement transportation improvements, heighten public safety and trust building, encourage governmental transparency, and combat homelessness and hunger across the community.
Many Union City residents and community leaders would attest that when Williams took office, the city was on the verge of financial ruin, a stagnant economy, and lacked true civic engagement. But within his seven years as mayor and building on his experience as councilmember and lifelong servant leader, Williams quickly spearheaded the city’s reawakening, which resulted in the revitalization of a dilapidated mall into a thriving multi-million-dollar film studio. Today the Atlanta Metro Studios is one of the state’s premier sound stage complexes, home to over 135,000 square feet soundstages, offices and full production support.
In his first year as mayor, Williams turned the Union City’s multi-year financial deficit to an 81 percent increase, all while ushering in the greatest increase of job creation in the city’s history. Williams works tirelessly to encourage economic sustainability by fostering relationships with local businesses that have called Union City home for years.
In addition to taking Union City to the next level, Williams works to advocate for and serve Georgia cities through his past and present positions with GMA. He’s been a member of the association’s Executive Committee and Board of Directors. He was also the chair of GMA’s Federal Policy Council and the Legislative Policy Council. Williams also chaired the association’s Membership Council and served on the board of the Georgia Municipal Employee Benefit System. Most recently, Williams was selected as a member of the GMA COVID-19 Advisory Committee.
Williams is also making a lasting impact on cities across the nation through his leadership role with the National League of Cities. He is currently the league’s second vice president and served on NLC’s Finance Committee as a University Leadership Fellow.
He is the proud husband to Sharon and father to Nia and a devout Christian, who serves God under the leadership of Senior Pastor André Landers at the iThrive Christian Church as an Associate Pastor.