Betherny Williams

BETHERNY WILLIAMS

Betherny Williams is a native of Houston, Texas and earned her degree in Civil Engineering from Southern University in Baton Rouge, Louisiana. Her fourteen years with the Missouri Department of Transportation started in Jefferson City and she currently serves as Area Engineer for the North St. Louis County. As Area Engineer her vision is to provide a pathway to engage, educate and develop partnerships that will facilitate the mobility needs of the North County region. In her years with the department, Betherny has been involved in some of the department’s leading studies and projects. She served as lead inspector on bridge rehabilitation projects in downtown St. Louis. She served on the largest bi-state project in the region’s history, the Stan Musial Veterans Memorial Bridge. This $628 million dollar project was her most rewarding to date. While on this project, one of her proudest assignments was her involvement in the complexity of the engineering design and implementation of the aesthetic light. This illuminates the bridge and the skyline of downtown St. Louis. The execution of the lighting system came with its challenges, having to identify the proper materials to provide enough light so the bridge can be seen from miles but not too much that would hinder the traveling public. With the advance of technology, the contractor proposed a value engineering concept that would require less maintenance, extend the life of the system and most important provided cost savings. Betherny researched this new produce and ultimately the alternative lighting system was accepted by the department. This cable tray system was the first to be used on any Missouri bridge and was awarded the National AASHTO VE award. She also serves as a mentor and Past Chairman of the MoDOT Statewide Employee Advisory Council.

Outside of work, Betherny volunteers in the Greater St. Louis area introducing engineering principles to students. She is a member of Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority Incorporated, where she currently serves as Financial Secretary for her local chapter. She is also a Past President of the National Pan-Hellenic Council of St. Louis. She also serves on the Usher Minister at First Baptist Church of Chesterfield.
Because of her commitment to leadership and service, she has been recognized by the department, the community and her sorority. Betherny is one of the twenty recipients of the 2016 St. Louis American Foundation Salute to Young Leaders under the age of 40 award.