South Plains College Distinguished Alumnus
Elijah Williams
North America Sales Manager:
Tweel Technologies Simpsonville, S.C.

 

Driving off the farm with what he could fit in his truck, Elijah Williams never imagined where that dirt road would lead him. His initial career plan would have taken him to the Criminal Justice Program. He said he saw himself becoming a Texas Ranger someday. However, halfway through his second semester, he realized that a degree in business would better fit his entrepreneurial mindset. Williams had a conversation with Ann Gregory, Department Chairperson and Professor of Accounting, who helped him map out his courses toward a degree in business. He still refers to her as one of his favorite people in the world.

A graduate of Morton High School, Williams attended South Plains College from 1996 to 1999. He was involved in Phi Beta Lambda, the collegiate division of Future Business Leaders of America. The organization had about 60 members his freshman year. Williams served as president of the club during his sophomore year. He orchestrated “Who You Gonna Call? Smoke Busters,” a community service project for Phi Beta Lambda. The project served economically disadvantaged senior citizens in Hockley County. The purpose of this project was to provide smoke detectors in the homes of these seniors. This outreach earned the club state and national recognition at the national Phi Beta Lambda convention.

“I am so grateful for the start I received at South Plains College,” he said. “What you get out of it and what you learn will help you to become successful.”

Williams has always had an entrepreneurial mindset. While attending SPC, he started his own handyman business, Handy Works, that helped pay for his college expenses. The venture proved to be very successful, Williams said. Although he had his hands full building his business, he still remained focused on his studies and was named to the Dean’s List.

“What made SPC special to me were the class size (student to teacher ratio) and the dedicated professors,” Williams said. “Coming here was the best decision I could have made.”

In 1999 he attained his Associate of Science degree in Business Administration, and then transferred to Angelo State University where he earned a bachelor degree in Business Administration with a concentration in Management in 2001. His hard work did not go unnoticed, and Williams had multiple job offers upon graduating. After making the decision to accept an offer from Warren Caterpillar, he worked two years for the company as a Rental and Lease Manager and Inside Sales.

“I was one of four people attached to the Management Training program,” he said. “It was a huge move from Lubbock to Oklahoma City but there, I was recruited by Michelin.”

Williams joined Michelin North America in 2003. Two years later, he moved through the ranks from a Truck Fleet Account Manager to a Truck Senior Fleet Account Manager. In 2006, Williams spent two years working as an Earthmover Sales Manager. For the next three years, he worked as a Mining Fleet Account Manager. Williams spent two years as an Earthmover Training Manager in 2011 to 2013 before joining Tweel Technologies Strategic as an account manager. Presently, he is the North America Sales Manager for Tweel Technologies, the Michelin Innovation Group. Williams leads the Sales and Engineering Team. He has worked for Michelin for 13 years.