Dr. R. Paul Williamson

Dr. R. Paul Williamson is a nationally recognized energy expert, author, researcher, and leader whose career spans decades at the intersection of sustainable energy, advanced transportation, and higher education. Williamson earned his bachelor's and master's degrees from the University of South Dakota and his doctorate from West Virginia University in technology education. After serving in the U.S. Army, his career in higher education included developing and pursuing a wide range of institution-building programs while staying current with emerging technologies. He has served as a dean at four colleges, including the University of Montana, where he created the Montana Hydrogen Futures Project, a plan that incorporates the state's human, natural, and renewable resources to develop a statewide hydrogen-based economy.

After a decade of research and work, Williamson organized the first national sustainable energy plan in his book, "Winning the Energy Wars, A Sustainable Energy Plan for America's Future." The book guides readers through the challenges of energy planning, reviews domestic energy resources and infrastructure, and presents a sequential, actionable USA Sustainable Energy Plan, transitioning the country from finite, carbon-based resources to a future powered by renewable energy sources. The work outlines a detailed plan with a new leadership scenario through the creation of a Governors National Sustainable Energy Council and a funding model to support implementation.

Williamson is an alternative energy consultant, sustainable energy researcher, university administrator, educator, government contract principal investigator, and transportation entrepreneur who has held positions across the United States. He has worked extensively at the intersection of technology and business-to-education initiatives, identifying and implementing numerous programs and plans while participating in various professional associations and government projects. Williamson contributed to the development of the NASA satellite education program, the Hydrogen Futures Park plan, the SkyTran maglev PRT system, and several energy demonstration projects. He later left his tenure position at the University of Montana to launch the nonprofit Sustainable Systems of Colorado, where he established statewide partnerships to implement the Sustainable Smart Home, designed to operate on solar, wind, geothermal, and hydrogen energy while powering transportation systems.

Williamson has presented on topics including energy, sustainability, alternative energy, energy planning, personal development, business, leadership development, campus issues, advanced transportation such as monorail, hydrogen, and electric systems, corporate training, financial planning, change management, entrepreneurship, team building, and employee motivation. His interviews on radio and television have been recognized for their informative and interactive approach, combining in-depth research with innovative perspectives on sustainable energy and advanced transportation.