John Williams is a nationally recognized leader in innovation policy and small business advocacy, with over three decades of experience managing and shaping the SBIR and STTR programs. He currently serves as Executive Director of the Small Business Innovation Research Council (SBIRC), where he focuses on advancing federal legislation—SBIR, STTR, and FAST—that enhances the programs, expands the focus on commercialization, and improves access for innovators in underrepresented states.
In this role, John champions reforms to raise commercialization benchmarks, limit excessive proposal submissions from individual firms, and level the playing field to boost participation and success among new applicants. He is also a prominent advocate for strengthening the U.S. defense industrial base by expanding the use of Phase III awards.
Previously, John served as Director of Innovation and Technology (SES) at the U.S. Small Business Administration, where he was the federal government’s lead authority on the SBIR and STTR programs. Under his leadership, annual program funding doubled from $2.3 billion to $4.6 billion. He testified multiple times before Congress and led policy coordination with the White House and Capitol Hill. In 2016, he also served as Acting Associate Administrator, which added the overseeing of the $6 billion Small Business Investment Company (SBIC) program.
Earlier in his career, John directed the Navy’s SBIR/STTR and Technology Transfer programs for nearly 20 years. His acquisition policy reforms helped the Navy achieve the highest Phase III commercialization rates in the Department of Defense during his tenure.