A big honor this week for the career and public service of Aaron Williams, senior advisor of International Development and Government Relations at RTI International.

He was awarded Emeritus status for his work, the highest recognition given by RTI leadership, the RTP-headquartered research nonprofit noted.

The event was held in Washington D.C. and was attended by RTI associates, members of Congress and representatives from the U.S. Agency for International Development, the Center for Strategic and International Studies, the U.S. Global Leadership Coalition, the Peace Corps and the International Youth Foundation.

Williams career at RTI began in 2003, as vice president of international business development. He served the role until 2009, when Former President Barack Obama appointed him director of the U.S. Peace Corps. In 2012, Williams returned to RTI to serve as executive vice president of RTI’s international development group. He went on to lead the government relations and corporate communications group until 2015, when he was appointed by President Obama as alternative representative to the U.N. Children’s Fund executive board.

In 2017, he began serving as senior advisor for government relations at RTI.

Prior to joining RTI, Williams was a volunteer in the Peace Corps in the Dominican Republic. He was also an official at the U.S. Agency for International Development.

Williams is also an adjunct professor of health policy and management at UNC’s school of Global Public Health.

The Emeritus honor is the latest in a series of accolades Williams has earned over the course of his career, including the UCLA Medal for distinguished academic and professional achievement, the USAID Distinguished Career Service Award and the Presidential Award for Distinguished Service.

RTI CEO Wayne Holden said in a statement, “We are proud to bestow the status of ‘Emeritus’ on Aaron Williams, whose leadership contributions had significant and positive impacts on people around the world. Aaron’s expertise with complex education, health and governance programs has led to innovative and enduring solutions.”