When you’ve dedicated over 50 years to one company, your story becomes woven into the fabric of its history. That’s exactly the case for Jim Williams, Senior Vice President at Stevens Aerospace. From the battlefield to the boardroom, Jim’s journey is nothing short of extraordinary.
Jim’s story doesn’t begin at Stevens—it begins with service. In 1968, Jim enlisted in the U.S. Army’s Aviation Branch, serving as a Technical Observer in the right seat of an OV-1 Mohawk during a tour in Vietnam. He later spent 18 months in Germany before returning stateside. His time in the military instilled the kind of discipline, precision, and integrity that would define his career for decades to come.
Shortly after his return, Jim joined Stevens Aviation at the Greer, S.C. (KGSP) location, starting out in the avionics department. In 1974, he continued his commitment to service by joining the South Carolina National Guard, where he rose through the ranks to Command Sergeant Major before retiring in 2007 after 34 years of military service.
At Stevens, Jim’s career has spanned just about every corner of the company. He began as an avionics bench test repair technician, then moved into avionics installations and green aircraft completions. With each step, he brought a passion for learning and a drive to deliver excellence. Over the years, Jim transitioned into sales and leadership roles, helping to grow both the aircraft and the MRO business.
In 1996, Jim took on a pivotal role in Stevens’ military and government programs division. Thanks to his military background and technical expertise, he was uniquely positioned to lead large-scale initiatives like the U.S. Navy’s GPS modification program, the U.S. Army’s C-12U to C-12V upgrade, and other major depot-level maintenance contracts. More recently, he helped develop the highly modified U.S. Army C-12U (King Air 200) G1000NXi avionics conversion program.
Today, Jim oversees all government and military operations at Stevens—and continues to be a driving force in program sales and customer relationships. But for Jim, it’s never been just about business.
“I’ve always said, Stevens isn’t just a place to work—it’s a place to grow,” Jim shares. “This company has been my home for five decades. I’ve seen it change and grow, and I’m proud to have been part of that.”
Through ownership changes, industry evolution, and countless projects, Jim has remained a steady, trusted presence. What’s kept him here for so long?
“The people,” he says. “We have folks who’ve been here 10, 20, 30 years. That kind of longevity speaks volumes. We treat each other like family, and that makes a difference—not just in the workplace, but in the experience our customers have, too.”
Jim’s legacy is more than titles and milestones—it’s the relationships he’s built, the trust he’s earned, and the example he continues to set.
From his first steps on the shop floor to leading major government contracts, Jim’s journey reflects the very best of Stevens: integrity, service, and a commitment to doing the job right. Jim, thank you for 52 incredible years—and for helping build the foundation of what Stevens Aerospace is today.