Small Business Liaison Officer (SBLO) Lindsey Williams' journey from stocking the aisles in grocery retail to building lasting partnerships with small businesses for Manson Construction Co. is a tale of resilience and a passion for excellence.
Born and raised in Poulsbo, WA, Lindsey's upbringing was rich with familial anecdotes and Southern Charm.
“My mom, Trese, is from Tennessee, and my dad, Lynn, is from Missouri,” Lindsey explains. “Some of my favorite memories of when I was a kid is when I used to visit my [maternal] grandma in the Chattanooga area. She would always have a big pot of spaghetti and meatloaf ready for dinner. She made so much, I would pack an extra suitcase filled with a couple frozen raw meatloaves and a ton of Little Debbie snack boxes to take home back to Washington.”
Back home in Poulsbo, Lindsey’s family set an example of hard work while offering her a glimpse of respectable professions. Her dad was an insurance adjuster and owner of a general contractor company, and her mom is a paralegal with the Washington State Attorney General’s office.
When her parents divorced and remarried, she gained two new stepparents, Paul and Janice.
“Paul was a retired detective with the Seattle Police Department, who created his own business training Police across the US, which led him to work with the United Nations in Kosovo and Indonesia,” Lindsey says. “Janice worked as a project manager for Boeing’s IT Department.”
Motivated and inspired by her biological and stepparent’s accomplishments and professional endeavors, Lindsey developed a strong work ethic and a knack for adaptation that would prove invaluable in her career trajectory.
After graduating from North Kitsap High School, Lindsey moved to Seattle to attend Shoreline Community College.
Lindsey found employment at Champion Party Supply and a local grocery store to support herself through school. She worked at the grocer for several years eventually rising to shift supervisor.
Juggling her studies while working full-time, Lindsey navigated school with determination and grit.
Despite encountering hurdles along the way, including a sudden shift in academic plans that prevented her from attending the University of Washington (UW) due to a transfer policy, Lindsey remained undeterred in her pursuit of success.
“I was two quarters away from finishing my associate’s degree when I got the news that UW was no longer accepting direct transfers from Shoreline,” Lindsey explains. “I applied to a few more schools and received acceptance to City University of Seattle.”
A penchant for always looking at things with the “glass half-full,” Lindsey sought a change in employment. She went to a temp agency in hopes of a new opportunity.
“I visited my friend at the temp agency, and I told her I wanted something different,” Lindsey explains.
Shortly after, she worked various mailroom and warehouse distribution positions before receiving the call that would change her life.
“My friend found an open receptionist role at Manson, and she connected me with Nancylee [Oczkowski, Human Resources and Equal Employment Opportunity Officer] and Gary [Hendricks, Vice President and Senior Financial Analyst] for an interview,” Lindsey recalls.
After impressing Nancylee and Gary, Lindsey was hired on as a receptionist.
What began as a new opportunity turned into a flourishing career spanning over a decade, characterized by unwavering dedication, support, and a genuine appreciation for the company's culture of family-first and excellence.
“During my early days at Manson, I was going to school full-time to pursue a Bachelor of Business Administration specializing in Project Management,” Lindsey says. “Within six months as a receptionist, I got the opportunity to assist the Small Business Liaison Officer with her duties.”
Earning the trust and respect of leadership and her colleagues, Lindsey’s contributions to the team were recognized with a promotion to project administrator in 2015.
Marking a significant milestone in her professional career, Lindsey embraced the role with enthusiasm, handling an array of tasks, including managing documentation, onboarding craft employees, facilitating meetings, overseeing office operations, and building professional relationships with clients, subcontractors, and vendors.
As a project administrator, Lindsey immersed herself in numerous notable projects, including the Elliot Bay Seawall Replacement and Mukilteo Ferry Terminal Marine Structures project. Under the guidance of experienced professionals, such as her current manager Laurie Pinard, Vice President and General Counsel, Lindsey's impact extended beyond her role as project administrator.
“When I was a Project Administrator, Laurie helped me make sense of contracts and instilled confidence in me to oversee contracts and get things properly prepared for projects,” Lindsey explains.
When the opportunity to transition to the SBLO role in 2022 came about, Lindsey leaped at the chance, reinforcing her commitment to personal and professional growth.
“I worked closely with Laurie during my first year as SBLO to learn the requirements of my role and what the federal government mandates,” Lindsey says. “My transition to the SBLO role felt natural because of the support of Laurie and the Contracts & Insurance Group.”
Collaborating closely with Laurie, Lindsey has led initiatives to foster small business participation and ensure compliance with federal regulations.
“Lindsey has been a great fit for the role of SBLO,” Laurie explains. “With a positive attitude and dedication to continuous learning and improvement, she leverages her administrative and project experience to support Manson’s Small Business Program. I look forward to seeing how Lindsey’s ability to see and communicate compliance requirements through her hands-on experience will continue to benefit the program.”
When she is not turning over checklists and building resources for potential small business partners, Lindsey finds fulfillment in her passion for DIY projects, animal companionship, and music.
As a devoted member of Acapella Soundsations Chorus—a chapter of Sweet Adelines International, a women’s organization dedicated to preserving acapella barbershop-style singing—Lindsey finds solace in the melodies of music and builds life-long friendships within the musical community.
Proud of her professional growth and accomplishments, Lindsey is now focused on finding a balance of happiness in her professional and personal pursuits, grounded in the belief that working with good people is key to success.
“At Manson, people are willing to help and educate you to be successful in your role,” Lindsey says. “I’ve been fortunate to work with people who are just as proud of their work as I am.”
