At the special meeting of the Rio Vista City Council on November 30, 2021, seven candidates were interviewed for the council seat recently vacated by Debra King. The outcome was the unanimous selection of Ms. Robie Williams. She was sworn in on December 7, 2021 and began her appointment the same day.
Ms. Williams moved to Rio Vista in August 2015. She says, “(W)hen I first saw the town, it felt like home before I even moved in. Driving over the bridge and seeing the small town with one stoplight and people who waved and were friendly was a big part of (deciding to move to Rio Vista).”
She was born in Utah and moved to California when her father took a job at an airplane manufacturing company. She grew up in Redwood City where she later raised two boys and a girl. She had a grin on her face when she said, “I’m now the proud ‘Jamma” of twelve grandkids aged from 3 years to 22 years old” and will welcome a great-grandson in February.
Ms. Williams thrives on seeking out challenges and overcoming obstacles both personally and professionally. She got married young, and while raising her children, earned an accounting certificate at Cañada College and College of San Mateo. She began her working career at a telephone answering service. Then she took on the critically responsible role of purchasing with a Silicon Valley electronics manufacturer. Her next job was in the construction industry. She said this was her favorite career move. She answered phones, handled two-way radio calls, managed accounts payable, receivables, and budgeting. She also learned how to read construction blueprints, order job site equipment and materials, and best of all “got to wear jeans and boots to work.” Because no two jobs were the same, the work was always varied and challenging and helped her fine-tune the organizational and leadership skills she brings to her new council job.
Ms. Williams has actively served the Rio Vista community since moving here. She was a Soroptimist, served on the City Planning Commission for nearly 4 years, and has been a key member of Rio Vision’s charitable group. She has spearheaded the promotion and organization of the past 4 Hog August Bites fundraising events. Revenues from Hog August Bites have helped the high school and local community complete projects and acquire needed equipment.
Asked what the most important skill she feels she brings to her new council position, she replied, “teamwork is important, because no ONE vote can affect change like the combined individuals as a group… members each bring their experiences into play…listening skills, negotiation skills, and compromise are important. It’s really about finding common ground and achieving combined goals and objectives that work for the community….”
Robie feels the three top council objectives are further enhancing our town’s economic growth, helping our youth become the leaders for tomorrow, and furthering a strategic vision for the future of our city.