Chicago, IL · Marine Corps Officer Transitioning to Business Leadership
Jacoby
Williamson
I build the systems that keep complex organizations moving — budgets, timelines, stakeholders, and teams, aligned toward one outcome. Over 13 years in the United States Marine Corps, from enlisted intelligence Marine to Captain, leading teams, directing strategic communications, and supporting a commanding general's executive operations. Now building the next chapter around program management, operations, AI-enabled workflows, and entrepreneurship.
About
From Saint Joseph, Missouri
to a global stage — and back to building.
"Leadership is understanding that people execute the systems you build — not just building the systems."
I'm originally from Saint Joseph, Missouri, and joined the United States Marine Corps in 2013, the year after graduating high school. What started as an enlisted intelligence role turned into a 13-year career spanning aviation intelligence, an overseas deployment with the 13th Marine Expeditionary Unit, a commission earned through the Marine Corps Enlisted Commissioning Education Program, strategic communications leadership, and service as the executive assistant coordinating priorities for the commanding general of a 40,000-plus person organization.
Across every role, the throughline has been the same: translate strategic priorities into executable plans, build repeatable workflows and reporting systems, track performance against goals, and drive projects from planning through completion. I'm now bringing that same discipline to civilian program and operations leadership, with a particular focus on AI-enabled workflow optimization and business transformation — while also building The Williamson Collective and The 1 Dollar Movement, two ventures rooted in community and family.
I hold a B.A. in African and African American Studies from the University of Kansas and an M.Ed. in Curriculum and Instruction from Liberty University — studies that gave language and context to questions about identity, culture, and belonging I'd carried since childhood, and that continue to shape how I lead. I'm married to Melanie, an architect, and still deeply connected to the Midwest that raised me.
- Project Management
- Program Management
- Strategic Planning
- Process Improvement
- Budget & Resource Management
- Executive Communication
- Cross-Functional Leadership
- Stakeholder Management
- Talent Development & Mentorship
- Organizational Strategy
- Team Leadership
- AI-Enabled Workflow Optimization
Experience
Thirteen years of increasing operational responsibility.
Leads officer recruiting operations across Chicago, combining talent development, community engagement, and organizational management.
- Manages annual operational budgets, resource allocation, and performance reporting across recruiting initiatives, events, and stakeholder engagements.
- Identifies and mentors prospective officer candidates, working closely with college students, university administrators, and community partners.
- Develops standardized processes, trackers, and workflows that improve visibility, accountability, and continuity across team operations.
Worked directly alongside a Marine Corps general officer, coordinating priorities for a 40,000-plus person organization and translating executive decisions into action across departments.
- Managed the executive operating rhythm for 30-50 weekly engagements, coordinating priorities, timelines, and dependencies.
- Planned and executed 100+ annual executive travel and site-visit movements, managing complex logistics and last-minute changes.
- Served as a central liaison between executive leadership, senior staff, government officials, and external stakeholders.
Directed strategic communications for a major Marine Corps installation, advising leadership and engaging media, government, and community stakeholders — including on issues involving public concern and protest.
- Led a cross-functional multimedia team across concurrent public engagement projects.
- Researched community concerns and developed communication strategies, messaging frameworks, and talking points for senior leadership.
- Directed communications for large-scale public events and installation activities, managing planning requirements and timelines.
Led an intelligence analysis team while selected for the Marine Corps Enlisted Commissioning Education Program (MECEP), completing a bachelor's degree and Naval ROTC before commissioning as an officer in 2021.
- Led and developed an analytical team of approximately 35 Marines as intelligence chief and NCOIC.
- Selected for MECEP, one of the Marine Corps' most competitive enlisted-to-officer commissioning programs.
- Earned a B.A. in African and African American Studies from the University of Kansas (3.82 GPA, Distinguished Graduate) and commissioned as a Marine Corps officer.
Entered the Marine Corps in 2013 and built a foundation in intelligence analysis, operational planning, and briefing senior leaders in support of Marine aviation operations.
- Deployed with the 13th Marine Expeditionary Unit (2015–2016), including a detachment to Qatar in support of Operation Inherent Resolve.
- Supported intelligence analysis, information management, and personnel leadership across two Marine aviation squadrons.
- Earned the Navy & Marine Corps Achievement Medal for professional performance.
Credentials
Education & recognition.
Education
Awards & Recognition
Ventures
Building alongside family and community.
Entrepreneurship isn't a side project for me — it's an extension of the same leadership philosophy: build systems and organizations that solve real problems for real people.
The Williamson Collective, LLC
Co-founded with my father, Craig Williamson, The Williamson Collective is a real estate venture focused on developing practical, attainable housing in Saint Joseph, Missouri — the city where my own story began.
The 1 Dollar Movement Foundation
A concept I developed around a simple idea: a single dollar has limited impact alone, but a large community contributing one dollar consistently can create meaningful resources for others. 1DM is built around collective contribution rather than a small number of large donors, aimed at workforce pathways, emergency assistance, and community stabilization.
Beyond the Work
Basketball, hip-hop, history, and a lot of curiosity.
Basketball
A lifelong Lakers fan and LeBron James follower, I've played recreationally for years, coached youth basketball, and became an Illinois High School Association basketball official.
Hip-Hop & Songwriting
Kendrick Lamar is my favorite artist, and I write and occasionally record my own music. My song "Joe," which personified my hometown of Saint Joseph, Missouri, was featured in my hometown newspaper.
African & African American History
My studies at the University of Kansas were rooted in a lifelong personal interest in identity, culture, and belonging — and continue to shape how I think about people and leadership today.
Mentorship & Community
From developing junior Marines to mentoring officer candidates and coaching youth basketball, helping people identify opportunities and build confidence is one of the parts of leadership I find most meaningful.
Fitness & Competition
Years in the Marine Corps built a lasting connection to running and athletics — I've competed in half marathons and still play basketball recreationally.
AI & Technology
I'm interested in the practical application of artificial intelligence and automation to improve organizational processes, analyze data, and free people up for higher-value work.
Insights
Writing on program management, leadership, and operations.
Five operating principles from thirteen years in uniform that transfer directly to running civilian programs and teams.
Where generative AI tools genuinely save a program manager time — and where judgment still has to lead.
Lessons on cadence, dependencies, and decision-support from coordinating executive priorities at scale.
Let's talk about your next program.
Open to project management, program management, operations, and business leadership roles — particularly in defense, aerospace, and mission-driven organizations navigating AI-enabled transformation. Based in Chicago, IL; open to relocation.