Tish Haas Williams is a native of the Gulf Coast Region with over 30 years experience in non-profit management and economic development. She has served as Executive Director of the Hancock Chamber of Commerce since 2002. The Hancock Chamber founded Partners for Stennis & Michoud 25 years ago to advance business in the region through Stennis Space Center (SSC) and the Michoud Assembly Facility (MAF). Since 2004, Williams as served as the executive director of the organization and team lead for the annual trip to DC to meet with members of Congress as part of a national coalition, Citizens for Space Exploration supporting NASA and U. S. leadership in human space exploration. In the aftermath of Hurricane Katrina, she received the Phoenix Award from the U. S. Small Business Administration for Outstanding Contribution to Disaster Recovery by a Public Official. And she has served as a national speaker for the International Economic Development Council on disaster response; and, served on the Urgent Response Task Force for the American Chamber of Commerce Executives.