In 1980, Williams returned to Southern University and A&M College as Administrator of the Cooperative Extension Program. In 1991, Williams was asked to co-chair a high level task force that would take an in-depth look at the Cooperative Extension System, identify problems and/or concerns that needed to be addressed and to recommend solutions. He was then asked by the National Leadership of Extension to come to Washington and provide leadership in implementing the recommendations of the task force while working as Specialist Assistant to the Extension Administrator. Within five months, the Administrator retired and Williams was appointed by the Secretary of Agriculture to fill the position. In this position, he gave leadership to the Cooperative Extension System involving all of the land-grant colleges and universities in all 50 States and the U.S. Territories. He managed an appropriated budget of over $436 million plus special funding from other departments and agencies. During the reorganization of USDA and the merger of ES and CSRS, Williams was appointed to the position of Associate Administrator of the newly formed agency, Cooperative State Research, Education and Extension Service. He held this position until he returned to the State Extension Administrator's role at Southern University in July, 1995. He was the former USDA Extension Administrator and Associate Administrator of Cooperative State Research, Education, Extension Service.

Contributions: Leodrey Williams has made a career of helping render educational programs and service to citizens outside the mainstream of society. Much of this work involved mobilizing community leaders and seeking funding to establish water and sewer systems in rural communities and small towns. As an agency head, emphases on those programs that reach citizens in need are high on his lists of priorities. He has served as President of the Association of Extension Administrators, Executive Committee Member of the Extension Committee on Organization and Policy, member of USDA's Joint Council of Food and Agriculture (an advisory committee to the Secretary of Agriculture) and many other boards and councils dealing with higher education and the educational delivery system of the land-grant institutions.He has served as a consultant to the governments of Ethiopia and Sierra Leone in the areas of Extension administration and adult and continuing education. During October 1994, Williams assisted in developing an MOU between USDA and the Republic of South Africa delineated needs and strategies for USDA agencies and U.S. Land-Grant Universities to provide assistance to development efforts in South Africa. The MOU was signed by Secretary of Agriculture Mike Espy and the Minister of Agriculture of the Republic of South Africa.

Education: Leodrey Williams began his higher education as a student at John S. Dawson High School in 1953 where he graduated with honors. At Southern University, he majored in Vocational Agriculture Education in science and graduated in August 1961. Immediately after graduating, he joined the U.S. Army and was trained as an oral x-ray technician and oral hygienist. After three years of military service, he began working for Cooperative Extension and enrolled in graduate at Louisiana State University were he received the Master of Science and Doctor of Education degrees in Extension Education and Administration in 1970 and 1975 respectively. Since 1975, he has received considerable specialized training in human resource management, administration, counseling and diversity sensitivity.

Mentors and Guides: Leodrey Williams' primary role model was his parents, John and Serelda Williams, who believed strongly in the power of education and helping and giving to others in need. Others who influenced his life greatly were: R. J. Ramsey, 7th and 8th grades Principal/teacher; Thomas Dawson High School English teacher who emphasized hard work and commitment to excellence will pay off. Emanuel Harrison, High School Vocational Agriculture Teacher/Advisor who believed in and challenged him as well as introduced him to work in agriculture as a profession.

Beginnings: Leodrey Williams was born in a rural community to parents who valued education even though education was not very high priority in his community. His mother and father had completed 6th and 5th grades respectively. He was taught by his mother until age 8; at which time he was sent to New Orleans to live with an Aunt and attend school until a school was established in a nearby community the following year that was in walking distance, about four miles. Williams always worked hard on the family farm and harvested pecans during the fall for spending money. While attending college at Southern University, he loaded trucks for Pepsi Cola Bottling Company, cared for calves in the University's Dairy, and cooked at restaurants part-time to support himself and his education.

Memberships: Williams holds membership in numerous educational, social, civic, religious and professional organizations including: · Evening Star Baptist Church where he serves on the Board of Deacons and Chair, Board of Christian Education. · Phi Beta Sigma Fraternity (Service Education and Social Action). · Epsilon Sigma Psi (Extension Educators). · Phi Delta Kappa (Higher Education). · Gamma Sigma Delta (Honorary Fraternity of Agricultural Professionals). · National Rural Sociological Society. · Southern University Alumni Federation (Life Member and Treasurer).

Life Theme: Aim high and take risks where positive outcomes will make a difference. Never stop giving to institutions and strengthening bridges that have brought you over safely. Other must also cross.