On Feb. 14, the Kentucky Association of School Administrators (KASA) awarded Fred Williams a Lifetime Achievement Award for 54 years of work in public education.

In presenting the award, KASA Executive Director Wayne Young said, “Dr. Williams, you have led the way in developing leaders of excellence, and we thank you for devoting your entire career to Kentucky’s education leaders and the students they serve.”

The Lifetime Achievement Award recognizes leaders in the field of educational administration whose professional lives have been characterized by extraordinary commitment, excellence, leadership, capacity, generosity and service. The award recipient is selected by the association’s board of directors.

Williams’ education career spans 54 years in public elementary and secondary education. Having begun his tenure as an 8th-grade teacher and later director of pupil personnel, he was named superintendent for the Grant County school district and, later, held the same post in the Fort Thomas Independent school district. In addition, he served the Kentucky Department of Education in numerous roles and was named the Kentucky Association of School Administrators’ first executive secretary in 1970.

“Dr. Williams has been the backbone in education circles for years,” said Fred Carter, KASA superintendent mentor and retired superintendent. “His life is a wonderful example to us all.”

Williams’ pioneering spirit has been instrumental in developing highly capable and committed school leaders, specifically in the role of school superintendent. Having served as program director of the New Superintendent Training and Testing program since 2000, he has mentored hundreds of school leaders in his lifetime and was one of the first in Kentucky to encourage women to pursue the role of superintendent. Williams’ leadership set the standard for training new superintendents, and his determination has paved the way for future generations.

A native of Harrison County, Williams currently resides in Raleigh, N.C, where he lives with his wife, JoAnn. He is a graduate of the University of Kentucky and earned an Ed.D. from Indiana University. He also is a veteran of the armed forces.

Representing more than 3,000 education leaders, KASA has members in every school district in Kentucky. Since 1969, KASA has been connecting education leaders to policy makers, legislators and other interest groups, in addition to providing benefits and services to Kentucky’s school administrators.