This month, on August 14, 2026, BW Research Partnership celebrates its 20-year anniversary. As an analytical researcher, with a heart two sizes too small, I generally do not get very nostalgic about anniversaries, birthdays, or the like. However, for BW, I am making an exception—not just for me, but for all the people and organizations that contributed to our vision and the work we have done over the last 20 years.
Humble Origins: BW, like many new, innovative companies, started as an idea: How could a firm conduct applied, rigorous research in ways that help build stronger communities, support new and growing businesses, and expand opportunities and insights for workers, students, and residents? The firm was also committed to sustainability and producing work, insights, and plans focused on long-term impact rather than just short-term wins. I want to thank Veronica and Jaime for starting BW with me and jumping into something that was scary, 20 years ago. I also want to thank Tim, who served as a mentor to me and a supporter of BW, when he could have prioritized being a competitor.
The Team: Partnership was in the name when it started, and the importance of developing the BW team has only grown over time. I want to thank everyone who has worked for and contributed to BW Research’s products and services. Over the years, we have seen young, green analysts develop into thoughtful research directors at BW, as well as interns, analysts, and managers who started at BW and moved on to important positions in government and the private sector. I am especially grateful for my business partner and BW’s CEO, Phil Jordan. I may have founded BW, but Phil has led much of its growth over the past 20 years. I could not have asked for a better leader, collaborator, or partner. More importantly, he is simply a great human being. Thank you, Phil.
The Results: Ultimately, an applied research firm should be judged by two things: the validity and reliability of its outputs and the real-world impact of its work on the clients and communities it serves. BW has tracked the growth of the U.S. energy economy through the U.S. Energy and Employment Report, helping identify and shape policies that have supported the creation of hundreds of thousands of companies and good-paying jobs. We have amplified the voices of underserved residents and communities, delivering insights and recommendations that better align investments with their actual needs. We have partnered with companies and organizations to understand their current and potential customers, developing strategies to connect, communicate, and serve them more effectively. And we have studied the evolving world of work, equipping educators with insights to strengthen worker and student skills, career pathways, and long-term economic resilience.
BW Values & Mission: Over the last 20 years, much has changed in what we research and how we find solutions and insights for our clients and partners. But three core values continue to drive BW’s mission and commitment:
- Continuous improvement and innovation. We are committed to making every research project we take on at least a little better than the one before it.
- Evidence before assumptions. We design every research plan around the client’s needs and provide a reliable, objective analysis based on the evidence.
- Research with purpose. We pursue work that empowers our clients and partners and strengthens the communities they serve.
Lastly, I want to take a moment and thank all of BW’s clients and partners over the years. I am thankful and humbled by your continued confidence in the work that we do, and I am grateful for our shared goals and objectives. Thank you for trusting us, challenging us, and partnering with us. We are proud of what we have built together, and we look forward to carrying that work into BW’s next 20 years.
– Josh A Williams
Founder & Chief Research Officer
BW Research Partnership, Inc.
