Summer, the leading end-to-end workplace student loan and college cost planning solution, announced today the appointment of Rich Williams as its new Chief Customer Officer. Williams brings a wealth of experience in higher education policy and student loan operations: he most recently served as the Deputy Assistant Secretary of Policy, Planning, and Innovation, where he led high-impact college affordability and student loan repayment initiatives affecting students at over 6,000 colleges and more than 40 million student loan borrowers. He also previously held senior roles at the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau and in the U.S. Congress. 

Williams has twenty years of experience working on policies that have directly impacted millions of student loan borrowers, and was deeply involved in borrower protection, loan repayment options, and education reform at the Department of Education. Williams was the lead Department official for resuming student loan payments for more than 30 million borrowers owing $1.25 billion after a four-year payment pause, and executed a multi-channel communications strategy that enabled 12 million borrowers to access more affordable payments; he also devised a temporary program shielding more than 9 million borrowers from negative credit reporting. These initiatives collectively restored payment levels to pre-pandemic norms. 

Williams also coordinated policy and operational development with the U.S. Digital Service to launch an intuitive online application for student debt relief, handling 26 million applications and 16 million approvals in just one month, with a less than 5-minute application time and 97% user satisfaction score. 

“For two decades, I’ve improved outcomes for students and borrowers through customer-focused product development and data-driven strategy, and I’m excited to join a company that shares that commitment,” says Williams. “I am eager to bring my expertise to Summer's clients and their employees to help them navigate student loan options and increase financial well-being, especially as federal resources are eliminated."

As Chief Customer Officer, Williams will oversee customer strategy and engagement, ensuring that Summer’s platform and services address the changing needs of its clients and end-users it serves. He will also work closely with policymakers, employers, and financial institutions to advance Summer’s mission to simplify student loans.

“Rich’s extensive experience in student loan and college affordability policy aligns perfectly with Summer’s vision,” said Will Sealy, CEO of Summer. “His leadership will be instrumental in helping us scale our efforts and continue delivering best-in-class workplace student loan and college cost solutions, and supporting borrowers nationwide.”

This news follows a string of major milestones for Summer: over the last year, the company announced its first acquisition, and the addition of Don Weinstein, ADP’s former Chief Product & Technology Officer, as Summer's first Chief Innovation Officer. Summer also announced its Advisory Board of distinguished HR & People leaders who lead or formerly led Human Resources for industry-leading companies including Microsoft, Unilever, and Albertsons. In addition, Summer pioneered an industry-leading partnership with ADP, enhancing their capabilities for 401(k) student loan matching for retirement plan participants.