Trudi Williams began her career in 1981 with a degree in civil/environmental engineering. After working for a local engineering firm for several years, she started TKW Consulting Engineers, Inc. as a one-person operation in 1989. She is now CEO of one of the premier civil, structural, and environmental engineering firms in Florida, with a headquarters office in Fort Myers and branch offices in Orlando and Tallahassee (www.tkwonline.com). In recognition of her outstanding work in the field of water management and civil engineering, she received the National Engineer of the Year Award by the National Society of Professional Engineers in 2006.

PUBLIC OFFICE

Florida House of Representatives

Elected to the Florida House of Representatives for District 75 in 2004, and she was re-elected to a second term in 2006, third term in 2008, and final fourth term in 2010.

• Agriculture & Natural Resources Appropriation Subcommittee, Chair
• Select Committee on Water Policy, Chair
• Appropriations Committee
• State Affairs Committee

She introduced bills resulting in the following legislation being signed into law:

• Northern Everglades Bill
• Preservation of 74,000 acres of pristine wildlife habitat on historic Babcock Ranch
• Delegation of Authority for Wetland Permitting
• Creation of the School of Engineering at Florida Gulf Coast University
• Sales Tax Exemption on Solar Energy Products
• Brownfields site redevelopment
• SB 550-comprehensive water policy relating to expediting permitting and nutrient water quality standards

AWARDS

The National Society of Professional Engineers – Professional Engineers in Private Practice Award (2006) - This award is the National Society of Professional Engineers’ highest honor. Selected from a national pool of nominees, the award is given annually to an individual who has made an outstanding contribution to the advancement and recognition of the role of private practice in serving the public interest. After being nominated by the Florida Engineering Society, she was chosen over candidates from across the country for her exceptional work in the field of civil engineering and water management.

Cattlemen Association - Legislator of the Year Award (2010)

Florida Apartment Association – Legislator of the Year Award (2010)

Florida Fruit & Vegetable Association Legislator of the Year Award (2009) - For work done in the field of protecting agriculture in Florida

American Water Works Association, Florida Section – Legislator of the Year Award (2007) - This award recognizes leadership and dedication in developing water supply legislation for the people of Florida.

Florida Engineering Society, Calusa Chapter - Outstanding Service to the Engineering Profession Award (2007) - This award is given each year to an individual who has, by virtue of his/her service, had a significant positive impact on the engineering profession.

Florida Institute of Consulting Engineers – Governor A. W. Gilchrist Award (2005) - As one of the highest honors in the Florida engineering sector, this award is given annually to the member of the profession in Florida who most exemplifies the spirit of public service that betters humankind and, therefore, brings honor to the engineering profession.

Florida Engineering Society, Calusa Chapter – Engineer of the Year Award (2001) - This award is given to the one member of Florida Engineering Society each year that best exemplifies the ideal image of the Professional Engineer.

Horizon Council – Industry Appreciation Award (1999) - As the recipient of this award, her engineering firm joined the ranks of only a few companies statewide that are recognized for increasing public awareness of how industries boost the state’s economy and the quality of life of its communities.

Uncommon Friends Foundation – Business Ethics Award (1999) - Under her leadership, her engineering firm was selected for this award which recognizes Southwest Florida organizations that exemplify standards of high ethical behavior in how they conduct their daily business and during times of crisis.

Southwest Florida - Blue Chip Award (1995) - Under her leadership, TKW was selected for this award, which honors small businesses that have persevered to achieve success under difficult conditions.

BOARD APPOINTMENTS

South Florida Water Management District Governing Board (1999-2004) - By accepting the gubernatorial appointment to the South Florida Water Management District (SFWMD) Governing Board, she took on a leadership role in the region, which included managing a budget of over $800 million. She was elected Chair in 2001, and reappointed to the Board by Governor Bush of Florida for the 2003-2007 term.

Federal Reserve Bank of Atlanta Advisory Council (2002-2004) - In 2002, she was appointed to the Federal Reserve Bank of Atlanta’s Small Business, Agriculture, and Labor Advisory Council through 2005. Working through this committee, she communicated the issues of concern for these sectors to the Federal Reserve.

Florida Institute of Consulting Engineers Board (2003-2004) - Director, Environmental Engineering

CIVIC LEADERSHIP

Current involvement in civic organizations:

• Big Cypress Basin Board, Ex-Office Chairperson
  
• Charlotte Harbor National Estuarine Program, Policy Board Member
  
• Babcock Preservation Partnership Inc., Trustee (Founding Member)
• Lower West Coast Water Supply Plan Advisory Committee, Chairperson
  

Past involvement in civic organizations:

• Corkscrew Regional Ecosystem Watershed Trustee, 1999-2006
• Big Cypress Basin Board, Ex-Officio Chairperson, 1999-2004
• Charlotte Harbour National Estuarine Program Policy Board Member, 1999-2004
• Lower West Coast Water Supply Plan Advisory Committee, Chairperson, 1999-2001
• City of Fort Myers Appointment to the Downtown Redevelopment Agency, 1998-2000
• Lee County Board of County Commissioners Appointment to the Executive Oversight Committee, 1998-2000
• Rotarian, Downtown Fort Myers Chapter, 1996-1999
• Lee County Board of County Commissioners Appointment to the DBE Council, 1995-1998
• American Red Cross Advisory Board, 1995-1997

Media Acknowledgements:

2006: Cover story profile, Gulf Coast Business Review

2005: “Trendsetters: Women Entrepreneurs,” Florida Trend Magazine

2005: “Rep. Trudi Williams, PE: Engineer of Change,” Florida Engineering Society Journal

2004: “Second Turns,” Gulfshore Business Magazine

2002: “People to Watch in 2002,” Fort Myers NewsPress

2001: Profile, Fort Myers NewsPress

2000: “Woman of the Month,” Gulf Coast Woman Magazine

2000: “List of Movers and Shakers,” Fort Myers NewsPress Newcomers Guide

PROFESSIONAL AND TECHNICAL ACTIVITIES AND SOCIETIES

Professional Memberships:

• National Society of Professional Engineers
• American Consulting Engineers Council
• American Water Works Association (AWWA)
• American Public Works Association (APWA)
• WEFTEC
• Florida Engineering Society, Member

Publications, Presentations, Papers Presented:

2010: “Engineers Make Excellent Politicians,” Florida Engineering Society Journal

2007: “S-9: A Case Study”, Co-author with the SFWMD of a white paper for the World Water & Environmental Resources Congress, concerning an environmental case before the U.S. Supreme Court

2006: “Jump Into the Race – PEs in Public Office,” Florida Engineering Society Journal

2004: “Finger-pointing Clouds Facts about Red Drift Algae,” Fort Myers NewsPress

2003: Honorary Co-Chair, Water Management Task Force of the Council of 100, Water Conservation Symposium

2002: Panelist, Florida Airport Managers Assoc. Conference, on Navigating the Permitting Maze

2002: Keynote Speaker, American Business Women’s Association, on Drought Management

2001: Co-authored paper entitled Everglades Restoration Depends on Aquifer Storage and Recovery with Rick Diaz, Director of Lee County Utilities, and Mike Bauer, PhD.

2001: Abstract on Desalinization / R.O. Systems, published in the Fort Myers NewsPress

2001: Keynote speaker to the Downtown Rotary on SFWMD 2001 Issues

2001: Keynote Speaker for the Regional Economic Outlook Conference on A Discussion on Water Resource Issue (paper presented)