Al connects people, solves problems, and sees the trends that drive digital forward—he didn’t invent Instagram, but he definitely saw it coming.
When you were 10 years old, what did you want to be when you grew up?
I wanted to be an electronic engineer. I was fascinated by the robots I saw in the movies, but then the internet happened, and this vast new world called me.
Any bucket list items?
Traveling to some old ruins, Machu Picchu, Petra, Pompeii, places that can give you the perspective that we have come a long way.
What do you like about working at an agency?
I like how vibrant the environment is. We are constantly moving and getting things done, juggling multiple projects and connecting to so many people from different teams. It makes me feel valuable and happy.
What’s your favorite part of being a development operations director?
The fact that I can facilitate things, connect people, solve problems, and build strong teams to complete projects. Building bridges with other departments and working collaboratively is a fantastic feeling.
What’s the best idea you’ve ever had?
A friend jokes that I “invented” Instagram. We had a conversation in 1999, and I was telling him that any web project invested in vanity would succeed, and since people don’t spend too much time reading, photos would be extremely profitable. I think it was a very forward-thinking idea. Looking back, this and the idea of moving to NYC have been some of my best.
Rename Austin Williams with two other “A W” words.
Always Willing! Where there’s a will, there’s a way, right?
What’s the weirdest thing on your desk?
I have an old dinosaur that I bought on my way to work at one of my first jobs; he has been with me ever since.