Alan Williams presents at Florida A&M University’s 2026 homecoming convocation on Friday, Oct. 23, 2026, in Tallahassee, Fla. The annual event celebrates university traditions, leadership and Rattler pride during homecoming week.
Sarah Cheatham/Tallahassee Democ
USA TODAY Network, Reuters
A well-known former state lawmaker who once served as an advisor in the Biden administration has returned to Florida A&M University, his alma mater.
Former state Rep. Alan Williams, D-Tallahassee, is now FAMU’s new assistant vice president for Alumni Affairs and University Advancement. While the university did not announce the hire, Williams began the job this September and has been in the position for about two months.
He says FAMU’s University Advancement leadership team reached out to him about the opportunity, and it was one he “could not pass up.”
“My love for FAMU runs really deep, and I’m proud to be able to amplify and engage alumni all across the world to help them help future generations of Rattlers,” the 51-year-old Williams told the Tallahassee Democrat in a phone interview.
Before Williams’ hire, the position had been vacant since April. That was when Carmen Cummings-Martin served in the role.
According to public records obtained by the Democrat, Williams’ annual salary is $140,000, and his responsibilities include engaging alumni and working closely with the university’s National Alumni Association. He reports to Vice President of University Advancement and Executive Director of the FAMU Foundation Brandi Tatum-Fedrick.
Most recently, Williams was seen carrying out some of his job’s duties during FAMU’s annual homecoming convocation on Oct. 23 as master of ceremonies.
“Homecoming was so special for me,” Williams said. “I was able to harness that Rattler spirit to emcee a program that I have attended since 1983 or 1984 as a grade school student. Having the opportunity to come back home to Florida A&M University has been something that is special and near and dear to my heart.”
Who is Alan Williams?
A Tallahassee native, Williams graduated from FAMU with both his bachelor’s and master’s degrees in business administration in 1998 and 2003. The School of Business and Industry Hall of Famer and third-generation Rattler said his hire at the university is a “full circle moment” because his mother worked in the Alumni Affairs office as well.
During his time serving the Biden-Harris Administration through different roles between 2021 and 2025, he served as senior advisor for Public Engagement and Intergovernmental Affairs for former U.S. Vice President Kamala Harris from 2023 to 2024.
Williams was also a deputy assistant secretary for Intergovernmental Relations at the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) from 2021 to 2023, where he advised on state legislative and congressional issues to HUD Secretary Marcia L. Fudge and her senior staff.
Williams was in the Florida House of Representatives 2008–16, representing Gadsden and Leon counties. A memorable national moment during his time as a lawmaker came in 2012, when a Florida House debate over warrantless cellphone searches turned into a viral exchange over Jay-Z lyrics with then-House Speaker Dean Cannon.
But he says a few highlights during his years as a legislator include his pushes that led to online voter registration, the creation of the Florida Civil Rights Hall of Fame and the opening of the HCA Florida Gadsden Emergency care center in 2009 after the Gadsden Community Hospital closed in 2005.
Williams ran for Leon County Supervisor of Elections in 2016, losing to Mark Earley, then went to work for the governmental affairs team of the Tallahassee-based Meenan Law Firm.
As a FAMU alum, Williams formerly was the National Alumni Association’s Leon County chapter president. Also, during his time as a student, he was involved with the Student Government Association as a Student Senator and created the FAMU Venom Express, which is a shuttle service available to the campus community.
Tarah Jean can be reached at tjean@tallahassee.com. Follow her on X: @tarahjean_.
This article originally appeared on Tallahassee Democrat: Former state lawmaker Alan Williams returns to FAMU
Reporting by Tarah Jean, Tallahassee Democrat / Tallahassee Democrat
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This story was originally published November 2, 2026 at 10:20 AM.