Alumni Award Recipient

Award: 2010 Outstanding Young Alumni Award

Achievements: Michael D. Williams (03C) is living proof that success in business doesn’t have to come at the expense of one’s priorities. As a student at Berry, he achieved the rank of top salesperson and sales supervisor at Universal Tax Systems in Rome. Since graduation, he has founded three successful businesses; Mosaic Consulting Group, Williams and Jansen Investments, and Goodwin Investment Advisory. “Michael is an outstanding individual,” said classmate and business partner Tim Goodwin (03C). “While we were students at Berry, Michael was a strong leader with a heart to serve the community as well as a star academic student.” Michael’s heart for service and his strong faith are evident in every area of his life. He is a member of local and national response teams for the American Red Cross and a co-founder of 24/7 Ministries, a nonprofit group established to enable individuals to make a global impact. Currently, Michael and his partners are supporting mission work in South Africa, feeding the hungry in Atlanta, and fostering dialogue and partnerships between Jewish and Arabic cultures in the Middle East. Michael has helped to coordinate and lead short-term mission trips to New Zealand, Russia, South Africa and Puerto Rico. He is also a founding member of Million Dollar Missionaries, a club that is investing for future philanthropy. Michael has returned to Berry many times since graduation to speak to business and family studies classes. He is actively involved with the Berry Entrepreneurship Program and is currently helping to establish the Berry Entrepreneurship Mentor Program. “Michael is a young man with a vision that embodies the spirit and values of Berry College,” said Dr. Brian Jory, professor of teacher education and director of family studies. “As he continues to excel on his life journey, he will keep making that same indelible impression on others that he made on me. … He is one of a kind.” Reflecting on his undergraduate experience, Michael stated, “As a graduate of Berry College, I can honestly say that the greatest lesson I learned was the importance of the Berry motto: ‘Not to be ministered unto, but to minister.’ I have learned the importance of putting others first, and it is my hope that it has been displayed in all of my efforts to serve this community.” Michael married classmate Amy Moskovitz in 2003 while finishing his degree at Berry and considers his greatest accomplishment in life to be his seven-year marriage to “the most amazing woman in the world.” He recently graduated from Georgia State University with an MBA in international business and sales leadership.