Ferris municipal government leader earns Doctorate in Public Administration
FERRIS – Ferris City Manager Brooks Williams has earned the Doctor of Public Administration degree from Liberty University’s Helms School of Government, completing an applied research project that directly examined how to strengthen the way the municipal government serves residents.
His doctoral research project focused on organizational challenges and operational inefficiencies within the municipal government, with an emphasis on communication, internal processes, and performance improvement in a fast growing community. The study analyzed existing plans, audits, budgets, and other key documents, and connected those findings to practical ways to improve daily work across the organization.
“This degree is not about a title after my name,” Dr. Williams said. “It is about doing the work to understand how a municipal government our size can be more disciplined, more data informed, and more focused on results for the people who live here. Ferris is growing, and our systems have to grow up with it.”
As City Manager, Dr. Williams has been leading efforts to modernize operations, align departments with the mission and values of the municipal government, and use nationally recognized performance frameworks to guide improvement. The doctoral work adds another layer of structure by turning Ferris’s municipal government itself into a case study for how small communities can become more effective and accountable.
“The research confirmed what many people in public service already know,” he said. “If you want a high performing municipal organization, you must be intentional about communication, clear processes, and how you measure success. This project gave us a roadmap that we are already using to support staff, sharpen expectations, and serve residents better.”
Fred Pontley, Mayor of Ferris, said the accomplishment reflects the community’s commitment to professional leadership.
“Dr. Williams has spent years studying how to make local government work at a higher level, then applying that knowledge here at home,” the mayor said. “Ferris benefits when our city manager brings that level of preparation, discipline, and focus on excellence to the job every day.”
Dr. Williams has served as City Manager of Ferris since 2019, after a career that includes both private sector and public sector leadership roles. He is also an adjunct professor of public administration, teaching future practitioners about municipal management, performance excellence, and the realities of leading in local government.
“This community entrusted me with the responsibility to help lead its municipal government forward,” Dr. Williams said. “Finishing this doctorate was one way to honor that trust and make sure I am bringing the best possible tools to the table on behalf of our residents.”
