Global Fastener News

Adams Succeeds Williams as SEFA Executive Director

John Wolz

Rebecca Williams, executive director of the Southeastern Fastener Association since 1975, retired due to health reasons, and her long-time assistant, Kathy Adams, succeeds her.\
Williams was diagnosed with Parkinson�s Disease last fall and was having trouble driving or working. �It is not how I wanted to leave Southeastern, but I believe I passed the torch on to a capable person. Kathy is one of my favorite people.�
Steve Gruenhut of Brighton-Best spotted William�s secretarial service ad in the Yellow Pages and called her for a presentation to the new Southeastern board on providing administrative services for the fledgling association.
SEFA ended up as her �longest term client,� Williams noted.
�I remember the day like it was yesterday,� Williams recalled.
She operated the association through her family businesses, which included secretarial services, executive suites and office buildings in suburban Atlanta.
Her husband, Doug Williams, retired from BellSouth in 1991 and joined the family business. He died in 2000 after a long battle with cancer.
Williams recalled that when she started with Southeastern
�I wasn�t in the nut and bolt business, but I have gained a lot of knowledge about it,� Williams said of 27 years of organizing association meetings.
Williams couldn�t single out particular highlights from her Southeastern career. �It has been smooth sailing the whole way. I have a lot of good memories.�
�My fastener friends are among my very best friends,� Williams said.
SEFA president Brian Crouch said �her commitment to our cause was unsurpassed and she will be truly missed.�
Williams said she is �trying to learn to be retired� and enjoying her three grandchildren. She described her Parkinson�s �treatable, but not curable� and pronounced her medical prognosis as �hopeful.�
She noted that former attorney general Janet Reno, boxer Mohammed Ali, actor Michael J. Fox and Rev. Billy Graham all have Parkinson�s and are helping in the search for a cure.
Adams met Williams through her husband, Tony Adams of Metro Bolt, and began working for the association and executive suites 12 years ago.
�Kathy has been active in the administration of the SEFA for 12 years assisting Rebecca and will do a fine job representing our association,� Crouch said.

Messages to Williams may be mailed to 6195 Spalding Dr., Norcross, GA 30092. Tel: 770 849-9440. �2002 FastenerNew.com