I've been passionate about politics and public policy for as long as I can remember, with experience across government, campaigns, nonprofit work, and the private sector. I started my career with the Delaware Volunteer Firemen's Association, then went on to serve as Scheduler and Executive Assistant to U.S. Senator Tom Carper, where I gained firsthand experience in federal operations and stakeholder engagement. Since then, I've worked on statewide campaigns, led education reform efforts, and most recently directed government relations for Valero Energy in Delaware, where I represented the company at all levels of government and helped navigate complex policy challenges. Today, I leverage that experience to build strong relationships and drive effective advocacy strategies that deliver results.
1) ABILITY NETWORK OF DELAWARE
2) ALLIANCE OF AUTOMOBILE MANUFACTURERS INC.
4) AMERICAN COUNCIL OF ENGINEERING COS.
5) AMERICAN MASSAGE THERAPY ASSOC.
7) APPLE INC.
8) ARMORY FILMS
9) ARTESIAN RESOURCES AND ITS AFFLILIATES
10) ASSOCIATION FOR ACCESSIBLE MEDICINES
11) ASSOCIATION OF COASTAL TOWNS
12) ATHLETICO PHYSICAL THERAPY
14) BRAVEN
16) CABLE TV ASSOCIATION OF MD & DE
19) CHEMICAL INDUSTRY COUNCIL OF DELAWARE INC.
20) CHRISTIANA CARE CORPORATION
21) CNH INDUSTRIAL AMERICA LLC
22) COMCAST CORP. AND ITS AFFILIATES
23) COMMUNITY EDUCATION BUILDING
24) CONDUENT INC. AND ITS AFFILIATES
25) CORRECTIONAL OFFICER'S ASSN. OF DELAWARE
26) CRODA INC.
27) DAILY PAY
28) DELAWARE ASSOCIATION OF INDEPENDENT SCHOOLS
29) DELAWARE ASSOCIATION OF REALTORS
31) DELAWARE CHARTER SCHOOL NETWORK
32) DELAWARE CITY REFINING COMPANY
33) DELAWARE COMPENSATION RATING BUREAU INC.
34) DELAWARE HEALTH CARE FACILITIES ASSOCIATION
35) DELAWARE HOTEL LODGING ASSN.
36) DELAWARE PARK MANAGEMENT COMPANY LLC AND ITS AFFILIATES
37) DELAWARE POLICE CHIEFS COUNCIL INC
38) DELAWARE RESTAURANT ASSOCIATION
43) FAITHFUL FRIENDS
44) FMC CORPORATION
45) GAUDENZIA INC.
46) HEALTHCARE DISTRIBUTION ALLIANCE C/O MULTISTATE ASSOCIATION LLC
48) HI-CONE
49) HOME BUILDER ASSN. OF DELAWARE
50) IMPACT LIFE INC.
52) INTERNATIONAL LONGEVITY MARKETS ASSOC.
53) KENT SUSSEX LEADERSHIP ALLIANCE
55) KOOTH USA LLC
56) LOWDIGITTAGS.COM
57) METRC
58) MODAXO TRAFFIC MANAGEMENT USA INC.
59) NATIONAL PROFESSIONAL EMPLOYER ORGANIZATIONS (NAPEO)
62) OPHELIA
63) ORSTED
66) REHOBOTH-DEWEY CHAMBER OF COMMERCE
67) RHETT RUGGERIO GOVERNMENT RELATIONS LLC
68) RICHARDS LAYTON & FINGER P.A.
69) RUGGERIO WILLSON & ASSOCIATES LLC.
72) STUBHUB
76) UNITE USA INC. DBA UNITE US
78) UNITED MUSLIM ASSOCIATION OF DELAWARE
79) UNIVERSITY OF DELAWARE - OFFICE OF GOVERNMENT RELATIONS
81) VSP VISION INC. C/O MUTLISTATE ASSOCIATES LLC
83) XEROX BUSINESS SERVICES LLC AND ITS AFFILIATES
84) ZSCALER
15-20 years
In 2022, Kim and the RWW team were named some of the most influential Delawareans in politics by the Delaware News Journal.
Named to the 40 under 40 in 2016
Women in Business Honoree in 2021
Worked with Sen. Tom Carper as a key staffer on his Senate campaign in 2026.
Gubernatorial appointment to the Delaware Community Foundation board.
Worked on various campaigns in a fundraising position.
Kim Willson has been interested in politics for as long as she can remember and comes to Ruggerio Willson & Associates with extensive experience. Her diverse background, which covers statewide and Senatorial campaigns, local community organizations and work in the non-profit sector as well as Fortune 500 companies positions her as an immediate contributor to the success of RWW.
Kim's first foray into local politics started in college when she began working for the Delaware Volunteer Firemen's Association's (DVFA) administration. Her role with the DVFA provided Kim with first-hand knowledge of how local organizations and governments work together. It also gave her hands-on experience in cultivating those relationships, which is a skill vital to success in all aspects of government relations. Kim's next step was into national politics, serving as State Scheduler and Executive Assistant for United States Senator Tom Carper (D-DE). During this time, Kim was in daily communication with the Senator and served as the first point of contact for anyone trying to schedule meetings or events with him. She worked with both the Delaware and Washington, D.C. staff, and played an integral role in Senator Carper's successful 2006 Senate Re-Election Campaign.
Kim then entered the non-profit sector as the Program Manager for Vision 2015, an education reform program focused on transforming public education in Delaware to a world-class status. During her tenure with Vision 2015, Kim's daily interactions were with various school officials, the Department of Education, the University of Delaware Provosts, as well as state, local, and federal elected officials to further the mission, gain support, and work towards securing funding to continue the growth of the program.
Following her time with Vision 2015, Kim returned to the political campaign arena, serving as Regional Field Director in Kent County (DE) for the 2008 Delaware Democratic Party Coordinated Campaign. While there, Kim worked intimately with local, state, and federal elected officials and party leaders to ensure a Democratic win from the presidential race to the local offices, along with helping to secure a democratic majority in the Delaware House of Representatives.
Most recently, Kim led Government Relations for Valero Energy Corporation, a Fortune 500 company, in Delaware. During her tenure with Valero, Kim served as the face of Valero in Delaware, representing the company in the community but also working with members of Delaware's government on all levels, including the congressional delegation, State House of Representatives, State Senate, various state agencies, and the office of the governor. Kim worked to educate all parties about the refinery. She also helped to pull together union and state business leaders in order to stop a piece of legislation that would have cost Valero several million dollars.
Kim is married with two daughters. She is very involved with the local organization, Gals that Give. Aside from the beach, her favorite hang-outs are the local Crossfit box and yummy locally-owned restaurants.