Speakers

Robert Williams has over 20 years of experience in the field of education, serving as a teacher, coach, and principal. He currently serves as Superintendent of the Hattiesburg Public School District. He holds a Bachelor's Degree in Elementary Education and a Doctoral Degree in Education Administration and Supervision from the University of Southern Mississippi. Dr. Williams earned an Associate of Arts Degree in Elementary from Copiah-Lincoln Community College and a Master of Education in Elementary Education from William Carey College.

Under his leadership as principal of N.R. Burger Middle has transformed from a school labeled “At Risk of Failing” in 2008 to “High Performing-High Progress” in 2012. In 2012, N.R. Burger received the “Champion of Change” award from the Mississippi Department of Education. Dr. Williams has been involved with and participated in numerous steering and selection committees, and he was selected as Hattiesburg Public School District Administrator of the Year (2011-2012 & 2015-2016) by his peers. Additionally, he represented Mississippi Congressional District Four (4) as a finalist for Mississippi Administrator of the Year.

Dr. Williams is married to Angela Givens Williams, an Assistant United States Attorney with Office of the United States Attorney, Southern District of Mississippi.  They are the parents of Anna-Grace Williams and Louis Alexander Williams.

Prior to being hired with the Fellowship of Christian Athletes, Mitchell worked at WDAM-TV for 27 years, serving as sports director for 20 of those years. While at WDAM, the sports department was recognized by the Mississippi Association of Broadcasters for excellence on 40 different occasions and named Williams the state’s best sportscaster 8 of the last 10 years he was employed at WDAM.

The creator of the award-winning SportsJournal, Mitchell helped WDAM provide coverage for over 15,000 different sporting events during his tenure. A cheerleader for young people and a former recreational sports coach in his native Hattiesburg, Mitchell in cooperation with Grace Temple Church has hosted a retreat for leaders of his area's football teams and female campus leaders since 2003. Also, he has helped lead and facilitate camps for area legends, Steve McNair of Mt. Olive, Adalius Thomas of USM, Jason Campbell of Taylorsville, and Al Jefferson of Prentiss since 2004.

While serving as FCA Multi-Area Director and Team Chaplain for Southern Miss football since 2015, the local growth of the nation's oldest and most reliable athletic ministry has grown tremendously. Called to FCA in 2011 with just one on staff, the Southeast Mississippi Chapter of Fellowship of Christian Athletes now has a team of 21 full-time, part-time and volunteer staff serving over 120 middle and high schools, six community colleges and two universities in 24 counties from Meridian to the Gulf Coast. 

A licensed and ordained minister, he attended North Forrest and Southern Miss, where he lettered every year in cross country, indoor and outdoor track. He was enshrined in the USM M-Club Athletic Hall of Fame in 2001. He and his wife Shelia are the parents of four boys and are members of Grace Temple Church.