Episode 4 features Billy Williamson, the statewide Flood and Watershed Evaluation Programs Administrator with the Louisiana Department of Transportation and Development (DOTD). Billy recounts how a mechanical engineer from the Department of Natural Resources became the leader of the state’s hydrologic and hydraulic modeling program. He credits his growth to a willingness to say yes to new responsibilities and highlights the DOTD’s unique role: formed by merging the Department of Highways and the Department of Public Works, it oversees dams, levees, flood control and roadway flooding—not just roads. Billy explains how this broad mandate positions DOTD to lead the Louisiana Watershed Initiative and why inter‑agency collaboration with GOHSEP, OCD, DWF and CPRA is essential.
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Stewardship and Systems: A Conversation with Billy Williamson
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- April 12, 2023
- Episode: 4
- 40 mins
Episode Summary
“If I wasn’t involved, I’d feel like it was out of my control and I’d feel like it could go wrong, so it’s nice to shepherd it in the right direction.”
“We live in that second ‘D’—Development—that’s our public works world within DOTD.”
Meet the Leader Behind the Vision
Billy Williamson is the Statewide Flood and Watershed Evaluation Programs Administrator at the Louisiana DOTD. He oversees the development of statewide hydrologic and hydraulic models, the roadway flood mitigation program and the Federal Highway Administration’s PROTECT resilience program. With a degree in mechanical engineering from LSU, Billy began his career at the Department of Natural Resources and has spent nearly a decade at DOTD, earning the Louisiana Engineering Society’s Andrew M. Lockett Medal for distinguished public service.
“Saying yes to new opportunities is the key to growth; that’s how I ended up leading this statewide modeling program.”
Stewardship and Systems: Billy Williamson on Leading Louisiana’s Watershed Resilience
Episode Highlights
- Transitioning from mechanical engineering to flood control and watershed management, and taking on responsibilities by saying yes to opportunities.
- Why DOTD isn’t just about roads: the agency’s history of combining highways and public works gives it authority over dams, levees, and flood control.
- How the statewide hydrologic and hydraulic modeling program will guide project selection and flood‑mitigation investments.
- Advantages of having one agency with a wide engineering mandate: faster coordination and accountability when working with multiple state and federal partners.
- Billy’s perspective on stewardship: he feels called to shepherd LWI because he wants to ensure the program heads in the right direction.
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