Karl Williams

What did you work on yesterday?

Yesterday I had a number of meetings with individual teammates about a variety of things going on across the company: new proposals we’re working on; contract reviews and modifications; a new product we’re developing using machine learning and artificial intelligence; and a joint research project we’re working on with some of our government clients.

How would you describe what you do at Ridgeline?

As the COO, I have my hand in many different pots. It’s my job to make sure the company is creating and delivering solutions, systems, and services for our clients and that they are happy with the results. At a high level, I oversee our engineering teams and program managers who are creating and managing these solutions. I also oversee the contracts between our clients and us, making sure that we’re delivering on time and billing what we agreed to. I get to serve as a mentor by applying my experience and background to help the company grow appropriately and take on challenges it sees in the marketplace. We have an amazing team and they have been hugely impactful in helping us be successful. It’s been a pleasure to be here and serve in this way.

Why did you come to Ridgeline?

I was at a point in my career where I had already done a bunch of different things - I’d worked at large companies, public companies, private equity backed companies and start-ups. When I was introduced to Ridgeline, I saw a neat opportunity to partner with a group of people who had a unique perspective on what was needed in the marketplace. The creativity of the team made it a very compelling place to hang my hat.

Why have you stayed at Ridgeline?

Every day, week, and month brings a new challenge. New customers, new solutions, new technology – it is not the same old, same old every week. Things are always evolving and changing. It’s fascinating to see the company adapt and iterate towards significant technical endeavors. I’ve worked in large aerospace firms and it’s refreshing to see how quickly we’re able to deliver; our clients are adopting our solutions in real time.

What advice would you give to someone considering working at Ridgeline? Why should they do it? Why should they not?

Ridgeline is a great place to work if you’re someone who appreciates learning and you’re looking for a fast paced, dynamic environment where you’ll be challenged cognitively. However, if you’re looking for a highly defined set of duties and procedures where your day to day tasks are predictable, this might not be the place for you. We’re a group of passionate people who embrace the work hard, play hard mentality.

What kind of things do you enjoy outside of work?

I love spending time with my family, along with golfing, skiing, cooking, entertaining, and puttering around the house. I’m a very social person and like social activities whether it’s doing something athletic or just enjoying time with friends. I am definitely able to enjoy these things while working at Ridgeline. As a company, we really appreciate individuals who are well-rounded and aren’t just 100% work. I’d say we’re a high velocity work environment but also a high velocity social environment.