Chuck Williams: Chief Deputy Sergeant-at-Arms, South Carolina Senate.

• Author: Andrade, Jane Carroll
• Position: THE FINAL WORD - Interview

In addition to his job with the South Carolina Senate, Chuck Williams is president of the National Legislative Services and Security Association and a chaplain's assistant in the Air National Guard, where he's served for almost 20 years. During two tours of duty since 9/11, Williams cared for wounded U.S. and coalition personnel at Landstuhl Regional Medical Center in Germany. He studied political science at Spartanburg Methodist College and the University of South Carolina.

[ILLUSTRATION OMITTED]

What have you learned from being involved in the National Legislative Services and Security Association? First, that it's a tremendous job. We provide a valuable service to our states and our legislatures. We're one and the same with regard to common issues we all face: the mentally ill, social media, crowd control at public demonstrations, active shooters and more.

How did you get your job? With a lot of luck. I was a page here in the South Carolina Senate when a position became available in security. My intent was to try to go to a federal agency, but I got to working here full time and the position just grew. I love the people I work with, I love the job and it just kept getting better and better.

What are the most important and enjoyable parts of your job? Security is No. 1--to make sure that everybody is safe. But for me, I enjoy talking to people. I work directly with the members, staff, lobbyists and our visitors. You'd be amazed at the number of folks who have lived their whole lives in this state but have been to the Statehouse only once or twice in their entire lives. I love the fact that I get to be an ambassador for not only the Senate, but for our state.

Did last year's shooting at Charleston's Emanuel AME church--which took the life of Senator Clementa Pinckney--affect the way you approach your job? It made us all more vigilant, because if that can happen in a church--which is a place where people come to pray together--it can happen here. This is everyone's state capitol. This is a place where there are differences of opinion and there are a lot of hot-button issues across the country right now. You want to take care of that in a diplomatic way. You don't ever want any kind of violence. This is a place where the legislative process can and should happen and be free from any type of danger.

Are you more cautious now about certain visitors? We have a group that comes here every year and the misconception is that its members are...