Countywide : Woman Parlays Skill Into Business, Honor

Girl Scouting wasn’t part of Ella D. Williams’ childhood.

But that didn’t stop the Tres Condados Girl Scout Council from honoring her as Ventura County’s Woman of Distinction. Williams, who was one of 12 children from a poor Texas family, went on to found an Oxnard computer services and engineering firm.

“In my mother, I had the best Girl Scout leader I could have,” 52-year-old Williams said during the second annual awards luncheon Wednesday at the Harbortown Marina Resort. “I have everything I have because of her.”

Twelve years ago, Williams was a single mother with two children and noway to support them. She took a second mortgage on her home and started Aegir Systems, which provides engineering and computer services for the U. S. Department of Defense and the transportation industry. Since then, the company has expanded, with offices in Los Angeles, Ridgecrest and Washington.

Also honored at the luncheon was writer Fannie Flagg of Santa Barbara, best known for her novel and screenplay “Fried Green Tomatoes at the Whistle Stop Cafe.” Flagg was statewide Woman of Distinction and the luncheon’s keynote speaker.

During her brief but humorous remarks, Flagg said she graduated from Scouting to the Miss Alabama contest. “I entered seven times, but I never won,” she said, adding, “I know why. It was because after each pageant, I would become overemotional and hit the winner.”

Ultimately, Flagg said, it was her Girl Scout experience that had the more lasting impact, inspiring her to write books with role models for girls and women.

Santa Barbara Airport Director Karen Ramsdell and San Luis Obispo environmentalist Kathleen Goddard-Jones were also honored as Women of Distinction.