Colonel Lenny Williams was appointed Chief of Staff, Illinois Army National Guard, on March 8, 2020. As chief of staff, Colonel Williams serves as the state’s senior federal Army National Guard management official, and the principle executive assistant and advisor to the Adjutant General. Colonel Williams oversees all Army personnel, training, and logistics programs through the functional directorates. He also serves as the Installation Commander, responsible for security and operations at Camp Lincoln and all Army National Guard facilities and training areas in Illinois
Colonel Williams joined the Illinois Army National Guard in 1991 and spent ten years as an enlisted Soldier and Noncommissioned Officer. In 2000 he earned a commission as a Second Lieutenant, Field Artillery Officer through the Officer Candidate School at the Illinois National Guard’s 129th Regional Training Institute.
Colonel Williams has held a variety of command assignments to include: Battery Fire Directions Officer, Battery Executive Officer, Battery Commander, Brigade Officer in Charge, Brigade Commander, Director of Logistics (G4), and Director of Plans, Operations and Training (G3).
Colonel Williams has deployed overseas to Germany from 2003-2005 and Afghanistan in 2008-09 with Combined Joint Task Force Phoenix in support of Operation Enduring Freedom.
Colonel William’s military education includes Infantry Advanced Individual Training, Primary Leadership Development Course, Supply Specialist Course, Basic Non-Commissioned Officer Course, Officer Candidate School, Field Artillery Officer Basic and Captains Career Courses, Strategic Plans and Management Course, Joint Domestic Operations Course and Command and General Staff Course. Colonel Williams graduated from the United States Army War College program in 2021, where he earned a Master of Arts in Strategic Studies.
Colonel Williams earned a Bachelor of Arts degree from Southern Illinois University. Colonel Williams is a qualified Field Artillery Officer and Military Police Officer has successfully completed assignments in both these branches.
Colonel Williams has numerous awards and decorations including the Bronze Star Medal, Meritorious Service Medal with four oak leaf clusters, Afghan Campaign Medal w/Campaign Star, Army Commendation Medal with three oak leaf clusters, NATO ribbon, Army Achievement Medal, Army Good Conduct Medal, Army Reserve Components, Achievement Medal with 4 oak leaf clusters, National Defense Service Medal with star, Global War On Terrorism Service Medal, Humanitarian Service Medal, Non-Commissioned Officer Professional Development Ribbon with numeral two, Army Service Ribbon, Overseas Service Ribbon with numeral two, Army Reserves Overseas Training Ribbon, Armed Forces Reserve Medal with “M” Device, Combat Action Badge, and various state awards.
Colonel Williams resides in Dyer, Indiana.
As of Dec 2021