Continuing a Life of Service, Meet VersAbility Board Member Brad Williamson

Retired Navy Rear Adm. Brad Williamson is a decorated military veteran, who is driven by an ardent desire to help and support those with disabilities.

“I’ve seen so much in my life and realized that those who are most vulnerable through no fault of their own are people we must find a way to support. This is especially true for our wounded veterans, disadvantaged children, and those with special-needs,” said Williamson, who was elected in 2025 to serve on the VersAbility Resources Board of Directors.

Those interactions led him to focus his community activism around three causes: children with special needs, children from underserved communities, and veterans.

Williamson learned about VersAbility during his time as a Board Member on the Virginia Peninsula Chamber of Commerce. Then, VersAbility President and CEO Kasia Grzelkowski invited him to tour the Hampton headquarters.

“I was impressed by how significant their work was and the scope and scale of it,” he said.

Williamson was moved by the stories he heard from people he met at Versability and who were so incredibly grateful to have had the opportunity to work and support themselves. 

“You could see how much pride they felt in what they were doing and how they were contributing. I believe we all want to feel that way.”

That’s high praise from someone who commanded the USS Thunderbolt (PC 12), USS Porter (DDG 78), and Destroyer Squadron (DESRON) 2.

Williamson wanted to learn more about VersAbility and agreed to participate in a lobbying session. 

“When I went up on the Hill, I was literally taken aback by some of the positions being expressed. There were many against giving employment to those with special needs. I don’t know how anyone could think that giving someone meaningful employment is somehow bad. This applies whether it’s a special-needs person or not.”

“I believe that people with disabilities have tremendous capabilities – you just need to match them with the right position, just like we would do with anyone. Any leader should attempt to get their people into positions that maximize their capabilities. When we can do that, we’re maximizing our overall workforce for our organization and for the nation,” Williamson said.

Williamson attended the United States Naval Academy where he graduated in 1985 with a bachelor’s in engineering. His military service spanned three decades and included deployments during Operations Desert Shield and Desert Storm before his retirement in 2016. He earned a Master of Science in National Security Strategy from the National War College in 2001 and has completed Executive Education at the University of Virginia’s Darden School and at Harvard’s John F. Kennedy School. He was also the 32^nd Commandant of the Joint Forces Staff College.

In addition to serving on VersAbility’s Volunteer Board, he is the Chief Executive Officer of Perrarus Solutions – a government contracting firm that provides strategic planning and business development support. He also serves as the Chairman of the Virginia Veterans Services Foundation.

Williamson is thankful to be a part of VersAbility and looking forward to supporting the organization.

“I am honored to continue my service and to serve on VersAbility’s Board. I hope I can make some small difference in the lives of the extremely special people we seek to employ.”