Testimonials
In 2003, Levin Menzies & Associates, along with their partner, Lennar Homes of California, entered into a contract to purchase 5800 Third Street in San Francisco. Everyone on the development team understood the complexity of developing in San Francisco, one of the most difficult cities in the United States to obtain entitlements. The 5800 Third Street site, located in the Bayview District of San Francisco was well known to many special interest groups in the neighborhood because of its visibility and size. Consequently, an acceptable accommodation had to be made with each of them. The partnership recognized the necessity of retaining the every best in a community relations consultant.
Levin Menzies & Associates had long known of Al Williams and his excellent work in San Francisco over the years. Consequently, the partnership retained Al as its Community Relations Consultant, with the responsibility of guiding the partnership through the cumbersome process of obtaining community support for our development. During the next three years, Al introduced us to the many stakeholders in the community, told us what it would take to gain their support and made sure we honored our agreements with them.
The result of this effort was that when it came time to go before the San Francisco Planning Commission for a vote on our development plan, there was no public opposition whatsoever. We not only received a unanimous vote from the Planning Commission, but roughly 30 people from the community spoke on our behalf. This was absolutely unprecedented in San Francisco, and it never would have happened if Al William had not coordinated our community relations program.
When we look back and evaluate all the members of our team, from land use attorneys to architects and engineers, the single most valuable person and the one who deserves the most credit for the success and profitability of this project was Al Williams. It would be unthinkable for us to contemplate engaging in another project in San Francisco without retaining Al’s services.
Robert Kagan
Senior Vice President, Levin Menzies & Associates, LLC
I’ve worked with Al Williams on several projects, in a variety of professional capacities. I’ve always found Al to be big-picture practical, very straightforward and enjoyable to work with.
Al is extremely good at educating the community about what his client’s project is all about and what the benefits will be to the community. But he’s also very good at making sure the information goes both ways. His goal is always even greater than getting the consensus or approval his client needs: it’s working as a team member, making sure the developer or the builder or the city agency hears and understands community concerns as well. When you can make the client and the community into a team that understands each other’s points of view, you stand a much greater chance of bringing your client long-term success, and that’s what Al is able to do.
Al is very hard working and very pragmatic in his approach, and I always look forward to any engagement that includes Al Williams in the mix.
Joe Boss
Planning & Real Estate Consultant and Community Activist
I’ve known Al Williams for over 30 years. We’ve been both friends and colleagues. Of all the people I’ve known and worked with, Al is right at the top as far as being committed, trustworthy, and completely devoted to the objective at hand. He’s unequivocal in his commitment and his focus, and always goes the extra mile to provide value to his clients and help them achieve their goals. He’s not only a top professional, but he’s also someone you can count on when the chips are down.
James Jefferson
Former Chairman & President of Primus Industries and Former Senior Vice President of Global Business Development for Parsons Water and Infrastructure Company
I’ve worked with Al Williams on several projects, in a variety of professional capacities. I’ve always found Al to be big-picture practical, very straightforward and enjoyable to work with.
Al is extremely good at educating the community about what his client’s project is all about and what the benefits will be to the community. But he’s also very good at making sure the information goes both ways. His goal is always even greater than getting the consensus or approval his client needs: it’s working as a team member, making sure the developer or the builder or the city agency hears and understands community concerns as well. When you can make the client and the community into a team that understands each other’s points of view, you stand a much greater chance of bringing your client long-term success, and that’s what Al is able to do.
Al is very hard working and very pragmatic in his approach, and I always look forward to any engagement that includes Al Williams in the mix.
Joe Boss
Planning & Real Estate Consultant and Community Activist
During my tenure as a Planning Commissioner in the City County and County of San Francisco, I was privileged to approve some local projects for which the Alfred Williams Consultancy played an integral role as part of the development team. When I served as the Chair of the Land Use, Planning and Transportation Committee of the Bayview Hunters Point Project Area Committee, Al Williams was regularly before my committee, guiding developers and making presentations on a wide range of projects. As a community activist, I've been privileged to work side by side with Al to address and resolve a wide range of pressing community issues.
In the very complex local development environment, Al Williams' professionalism and extensive knowledge of the issues has resulted in the passage and implementation many key projects in San Francisco and the Bay Area. Citywide, Al is known for his professionalism, his attention to details, and his successful public outreach efforts. He has had success overcoming the hurdles most consultants face because he understands the complex social mechanisms involved and he's extremely skillful at bringing all stakeholders to the table.
I highly recommend the Al Williams Consultancy and Al Williams for his extensive experience, integrity and excellent performance.
Linda Richardson
Community Activist and Former San Francisco Planning Commissioner
