Williams takes reigns as new county administrator

The Lincoln County Board of Commissioners has hired Matthew A. Williams as its new county administrator. 

Williams begins his duties immediately and will work directly with the commission and county department heads to support the day-to-day operations of county government.

Williams brings more than two decades of executive experience in strategic management, business development and organizational leadership across the public, nonprofit, and regulated private sectors. He founded and led Purchinex, LLC, a service-disabled veteran-owned small business that completed approximately $70 million in prime contracts over the past decade with federal agencies including the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs, the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, and the U.S. Air Force. 

Across his career, he has led strategy, growth, and government affairs functions in environments characterized by complex regulatory requirements and multi-stakeholder coordination.

Williams has served as Chief Strategy Officer and Operating Partner at Vacavia Cottages & Cabins, Managing Director of Triple Canopy Media, Chief Marketing Officer at HGR Industrial Surplus, and Executive Vice President for Marketing, Sales & Government Affairs at Harbor Enterprises. 

He also served as Applications and Systems Administrator for the Summit County Board of Elections In Akron, Ohio, and he taught a variety of subjects including social studies, public speaking, and web development at he high school and collegiate levels.

Williams holds a Master of Public Administration and a Bachelor of Arts, summa cum laude, from The University of Akron, along with a Graduate Certificate in Applied Politics from the Ray C. Bliss Institute of Applied Politics. He completed executive education at Columbia University in 2024, and he holds the Lean Six Sigma Green Belt certification. 

Williams is a veteran of the U.S. Navy, where he served in the Naval Nuclear Power Program. Matt is an avid hiker, canoeist and fly fisher and has enjoyed spending time in the outdoors in Lincoln County and throughout the Mountain West over the past several years.

“Matt brings the kind of strategic and operational experience the County needs at this point in its work,” the Lincoln County Board of Commissioners in a joint statement said. “He understands complex organizations, federal and state contracting and grant environments, and the realities of operating in a rural county. He has family ties to the area and has chosen to make Lincoln County his home, and he is committed to serving the people who live here.”

“It is a privilege to serve Lincoln County in this role,” Williams said. “My focus in the early months will be straightforward: listen carefully to the Commissioners, the department heads, and the public; understand how the County’s core functions are working today; and support the people doing that work with whatever practical structure helps them be more effective. Lincoln County has capable leadership and dedicated staff. My job is to reinforce their work and to bring a fresh perspective when appropriate.”

The county administrator position supports the Board of Commissioners in administering county operations, coordinating across departments, supporting grant administration, and providing day-to-day operational continuity. The Administrator works at the direction of the Board and in collaboration with the County’s elected officials and department heads.

Williams has relocated to Libby and is active in veterans’ service work. He is the founder of the Institute for Veterans Health & Social Policy, a research and advocacy organization focused on improving outcomes for veterans and their families.