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About

Rodney E (Rod) Williams, with over 15 years of experience in career coaching and career center management across diverse industries, including telecommunications, financial services, consumer products, entertainment media, and oil & gas with one of the largest career solutions firms, founded B.E.S.T. Talent Management Solutions, LLC in January 2010. Recognizing the importance of Building Empowered Superior Talent in a DIVERSE World, the company operates on the principle of remaining flexible and adaptable to the ever-changing employment landscape.

Alongside sales and marketing partner L. Greg Smith, they transformed B.E.S.T. into a prominent player in the career management and Diversity, Equity, Inclusion, Access, & Belonging (DEIAB) space. The company’s success lies in its ability to customize business solutions tailored to client’s needs while maintaining a flexible and adaptable approach without the constraints of corporate formality.

Gregory Edwards made a significant impact on B.E.S.T. Talent Management Solutions during his time with the team. As a green belt HR specialist, he expanded the company’s capacity to address various talent management aspects, including HR function revamping, recruitment, and talent coaching. The collaboration between Rodney E. Williams, L. Greg Smith, and Gregory Edwards resulted in the creation of “The Christian Career Management Guide,” which integrated their faith tenets into the career management process. While Gregory Edwards transitioned out of this life in 2015, his positive presence and influence continue to resonate within the B.E.S.T. culture. His contributions undoubtedly left a lasting impression, shaping the company’s ethos and approach to talent management.

B.E.S.T. Talent Management Solutions evolved into two separate entities to better serve the HR and Global Talent Management marketplace. After co-authoring “The B.E.S.T. Way To Get A Job!” in 2018, which is still available on Amazon, the company transformed.

B.E.S.T. Talent Management Strategies, led by Smith, now focuses on addressing strategic business needs including sales and marketing, training & development, team-building needs, and career management & transition resources deployment. While, B.E.S.T. Talent Management Solutions maintains its primary focus on individual & group career management solutions while expanding its Diversity, Equity, Inclusion, Access, & Belonging (DEIAB) practice with additional technical services, including mobile app and website consulting.

This strategic shift allows both entities to specialize and excel in their respective areas, offering tailored solutions to meet the evolving demands of the market. It’s an exciting journey of growth and adaptation for B.E.S.T., showcasing its commitment to innovation and client-centric approach…

Rod brings a wealth of experience and expertise to B.E.S.T. Talent Management Solutions, with over 25 years of award-winning career development and employment marketplace specialization. Before founding B.E.S.T., he served as the Job Market Consultant for Lee Hecht Harrison in their flagship NYC office, where he honed his skills in career coaching and career center management supervising 9 dedicated projects.

Prior to his role at Lee Hecht Harrison, Rod managed national marketing research projects for major companies such as Coca-Cola, AT&T, and Maritz Marketing Research. This experience provided him with a deep understanding of market dynamics, consumer behavior, and strategic planning.

Additionally, Rod has ventured into sports and entertainment management consulting, working with notable organizations in the NFL and NBA. This diverse background has equipped him with a unique perspective on talent management, career development, and business strategy across various industries.

Professional Highlights include:

  • “Leaders At All Levels” – Lee Hecht Harrison
  • “Ask the Experts” Career Consultant expert for eFinancialCareers.com
  • Career Management Seminar Facilitator – National Black MBA Association
  • Designed & delivered Diversity, Equity, Inclusion, Access & Belonging (DEIAB) presentations, seminars, and workshops for corporations, community, law enforcement, religious, and youth groups
  • Managed 9 career centers in NJ, NY, and ME
  • Society of Human Resources Management (SHRM) recurring panelist
  • Association of Executive Search Consultants Advisor
  • Interviews, presentations, and articles for organizations and publications including: Markets Media, Bloomberg, Citigroup, Wells Fargo, Credit Suisse, Morgan Stanley, Rockefeller Foundation, Wall Street Employment Managers Association, MetLife, E&Y, Viacom, Sirius Satellite Radio, Financial Executive Networking Group, and Technology Executive Networking Group
  • Board member (current) Eleven+, an internship organization supplying interns from underrepresented groups, PSGCNJ (Public Service Group Central New Jersey), a non-profit group assisting job seekers in maintaining job readiness; (past) Ebenezer Community Development Corporation, a non-profit group addressing the needs of the urban community in Englewood, NJ; Civic Story, a non-profit environmental awareness group
  • National Telecommunications Division Manager of the Year for Maritz Marketing Research
  • Lead coordinator for the Fountain Baptist Church Networking Ministry, a local forum established in 2000 that went national as a virtual meeting in 2020

Rod’s contributions to B.E.S.T. Talent Management Solutions are extensive and diverse. He develops compelling content for the company, including the B.E.S.T. Career Advice blog. Rod’s expertise extends to authoring impactful books, including “The Christian Career Management Guide” and co-authoring “The B.E.S.T. Way To Get A Job,” both available on Amazon.

In addition to his writing prowess, Rod holds certifications in multiple training and development areas, including Diversity, Equity, Inclusion, Access, & Belonging (DEIAB), Branding & Marketing, Team Building, Productivity, Sales, and Customer Service. He is also skilled in utilizing various assessment tools to enhance talent management strategies.

Rod’s commitment to community service is commendable, with involvement in mentor advisory boards at Rutgers University and Middlesex County College, as well as with the Free & Accepted Masons PHA. He also serves as a licensed minister at Fountain Baptist Church in Summit, New Jersey, showcasing his dedication to both professional and spiritual growth.

Rod’s educational background is equally impressive, with a biology major from the Georgia Institute of Technology (Georgia Tech), coursework in political science at Fairleigh Dickinson’s Madison campus, and computer science studies at Thomas Edison State University in Trenton, New Jersey. He completed his Master of Divinity requirements at Newburgh Theological Seminary, further enriching his knowledge and skill set.