EKI-Digital, a leading digital transformation consultancy firm, announced Hollis Williams has been named chief executive officer, effective immediately. As CEO, Williams will assume leadership of the 25-year-old company and direct EKI-Digital’s overall strategy for implementing the company’s digital portfolio and analytics modernization initiatives for clients, helping them realize the greatest possible return on their digital investments.
Additionally, EKI-Digital will expand from Chicago and Omaha to Charlotte, with plans to establish its southeast office within the next year.
“We are pleased to welcome Hollis as our new Chief Executive Officer,” Robert Blackwell, Jr., chairman of EKI-Digital, said. “He brings a wealth of technology, financial services and government leadership experience that will help EKI-Digital enhance business development, create additional strategic alliances and elevate our presence to benefit our customers and communities.”
Blackwell will stay on as Chairman of EKI-Digital and hold an advisory role.
“EKI-Digital is a proven trailblazer in forming the digital and analytics solutions that accelerate real return on technology investments and maximize the use of customer digital assets,” Williams said. “I’m honored to lead our company into this next phase of growth and expand our footprint into other markets, drawing on innovation that enable positive, data-driven outcomes for corporations, governments and entrepreneurs.”
In addition to EKI-Digital’s digital and analytics modernization programs, Williams will also oversee the team executing the company’s philanthropic efforts. He will lead the expansion of Alpha Mission, an effort to create pathways for ending the generational poverty of Black and Hispanic communities across the country by proving that the free enterprise system can work for everyone. Alpha Mission exists to shape sustainable economic participation for underrepresented populations in the communities where they live and work.
Williams joins EKI-Digital and Alpha Mission from Microsoft where he spent more than 12 years in various roles, most recently as the chief operating officer of Microsoft’s U.S. State and Local Government business. During his time there, Williams led sales teams within U.S. State and Local Government, as well as championed the company’s efforts to help customers improve the lives of children, aid citizens with reentry processes into their communities, and support governments in responding during the global pandemic.
Williams was also responsible for driving several initiatives related to Microsoft’s commitment to racial equity, where he chaired the company’s global employee resource group, Blacks At Microsoft (BAM). His focus included the execution of programs to boost opportunities for underrepresented businesses and small business owners.
Prior to Microsoft, Williams spent most of his post-military service building and leading technical teams through implementing complex architectures, mergers and acquisitions, and managing support services, most notably at Bank of America, M3 Technology Group and EDS Federal.
Williams is originally from Chicago but has called the Charlotte area home since 2004 with his wife and two sons.
