Karen l. williams, Founder & President

With more than 20 years in the industry, President Karen L. Williams founded NOLA Steele Fabrication and Erection LLC in 2014.

In 1997, Karen began a career in the construction business. During her tenure as an Office Manager, she learned the ‘ins and outs’ of the construction industry and developed key competencies in managing daily operations, accounting, human resources, and Project Management. As a result of her work ethic, business acumen, and leadership, Karen was able to rise within the ranks from Office Manager to Vice President of the company.

After 20 years, Karen’s entrepreneurial spirit kicked in and she realized that it was time to take the skills that she had learned and start her own business. In 2014, Karen founded Nola Steele Fabrication and Erection LLC. Since then, there has been no stopping her. With the support of her husband, her team, and a network of local technical assistance providers, Karen has been able to rise to the occasion and position herself as a contractor of choice for steel fabrication and erection services in Southeast Louisiana.

She attributes much of her success to working with Propeller: A Force for Social Innovation, Urban League of Louisiana’s Contractor’s Resource Center, East Baton Rouge & Shreveport Fair Share, LA APEX Accelerators, Build NOLA, 10,000 Goldman Sachs, MBDA-Minority Business Development Agency, and the Small Business Administration’s (SBA) Louisiana District Office. She has also been able to leverage the benefits of the 8(a) Program participation and the EDWOSB, DBE, and MBE Certifications.

Karen L. Williams was named Louisiana's 2023 SBA SMALL BUSINESS PERSON & 8(A) FIRM of the YEAR.  She has built a company that is successful and sustainable. With her sights set on growing into a national company working on larger projects, Karen L. Williams is a “Woman on the Rise”, “Building the Future and Restoring the Past”.

TRAVIS williams, VICE President & ESTIMATOR

A native New Orleanian, Travis is a 100% Service Connected Disabled Veteran with over 10 years experience as a Project Manager. Mr. Williams received On The Job Training as an estimator and assists in client cultivation, solicitation, sales, marketing, safety management, and recruitment. He utilizes his communicative and leadership skills to work with diverse personnel at all levels of the company.

Travis gained logistics experience serving as a Motor Sergeant during his 15-year career in the U.S. Army, running transportation operations for over 150 soldiers and managed equipment and resources in excess of $40 million. Travis' military service included transporting commanders with the Air Defense School, civilians in Korea's DMZ, and recruitment.

While enlisted, Travis took a primary leadership course, attended Non-Commissioned Office School, recruiting school, diesel mechanic school, and received training on HAZMAT, project management, cost estimation, as well as earned certification from the Occupational Safety & Health Administration (OSHA).

Travis attributes his success to working with Propeller: A Force for Social Innovation. He is registered with the Small Business Administration.

Travis prides himself on his ability to quickly assess a situation and present a plan to move forward that is in line with overall project goals, including providing quality services on time and within budget.