He was born in New York City and grew up on Long Island, where he developed a keen interest in sports (lacrosse), theatre (acting), history and Native American archeology. After initially attending college on Long Island, he transferred to the State University of New York (SUNY), College at Buffalo, where he earned BS and MS degrees in social science/secondary education, with a concentration in cultural anthropology.

Initially, he opted for a teaching career (history, cultural anthropology), and completed a Fulbright-Hays program coordinated through Ain Shams University in Cairo, Egypt (1977). From September of 72 through June of 78, he taught American History, Anthropology and African-American studies at Lakeshore High School (grades 9-12) in Angola, New York.

In 1978 shifted his career focus to business, working initially as a copywriter for New York-based advertising firms. But his interest and natural inclination was to pursue a career in marketing, which has been his chosen profession for the past 27 years. In New York, worked on such noteworthy brands as Pepsi, Pizza Hut and Welch Foods. In 1981, he joined Apple Computer in Cupertino, California, where he was instrumental in the launch of the

Apple //c and //etwo critical products that defined Apple through the mid-80s. He worked closely with Apples external marketing professionals to develop fully integrated marketing communications and market development programs. He was intimately involved in the introduction of numerous successful sales promotion efforts as well, which ultimately transformed the way that computers were marketed in the US and abroad.

After leaving Apple in 1985, honed his skills as an entrepreneur, which prepared him for the subsequent launch of CKS Group in 1987. CKS , Kvamme & Suiter) initially began as Communications, where the primary emphasis was on deploying integrated marketing communications and branding efforts through digital media. With the advent of the web (Mosaic) in early 1994, CKS was instrumental in launching several major web brands that endure and thrive to the present day; including Yahoo, Ebay, Amazon.com, Disney, AdForce and Excite.As an entity, CKS was described as one of the most innovative marketing companies of the decade. Through the creative use of digital media and the web, the company transformed the communications strategies of Fortune 500 market leaders such as General Motors, United Airlines, MCI, Mitsubishi, Fujitsu and Apple Computer.

CKS filed an IPO in December of '95, and was considered one of the truly noteworthy (and profitable) firms of the web-centric world. He left CKS in 1998 and served as Chairman of the Board for Matchmaker.com, a highly innovative and fast emerging new web companywhich was ultimately sold to Lycos. For the past five years, he has been active in assisting entrepreneurs with their business plan development and overall marketing efforts through a small consulting firm based in Saratoga, California.

In addition, Bill has been deeply committed to Santa Clara University's MBA program (Leavey School of Business), where he has served as the Chairman of the Advisory Board, an Executive Fellow and a teacher. He also serves on the boards of the Montalvo Arts Center, Hillbrook School and PGP Corporation. Recently, he joined the Deans Advisory Council (Human Origins) at Stony Brook University on Long Island. In that role he has worked closely with world-renowned paleo-anthropologist Dr. Richard Leakeyin support of several key initiatives centered on environmental and social concerns.

He currently resides in Saratoga, California, with his wife (Kathy) and three children, where he pursues interests such as horseback riding, skiing, sailing and collecting 19th century art. His most indulgent hobby, however, has to be his massive collection of toy soldiers and civil war period artifacts. He continues to enjoy a rich mixture of professional and personal pursuits.

Academic background:
1969 BS, Social Science (SUNY College at Buffalo)
1973 MS, Anthropology (SUNY College at Buffalo)
1977Fulbright-Hays scholar, Ain Shams University, Cairo Egypt

Career Highlights (1973 1981)
Began career in advertising in 1975 as a copywriter for New York agency
Taught from 1973-77 while working as a copywriter
Began career in marketing on the agency side. Worked with formidable national brands, including Welch Foods, Pepsi and Dunlop
In 1980 worked on the Pepsi brandspecifically the Pepsi Challenge
Developed award winning promotions for Welch Foods

Apple Computer (1981 1985)
Successfully introduced sales promotion techniques to Apple Computer
Intricately involved (creative marketing side) with the successful launch of the Apple //e and //c
Managed a US marketing budget of $62 million in 84 and 85
Promoted to Marketing Manager (Apple //. Group) in 84
Developed and managed successful market development programs for the Apple //, including programs for home banking & Appleworks (integrated software)

International Solutions (1985 1986)
First entrepreneurial experienceincluded the launch of numerous Macintosh products in Europe and Asia
Helped establish third party software presence in markets such as Australia, UK and Canada
Worked closely with Mark Kvammea relationship that would ultimately lead to the establishment of CKS Group as a major integrated marketing company

CKS Group (1987 1998)
Founded CKS in 1987 on the notion that for brands to be successful, marketing communications programs had to be fully integrated
Later joined by partners Mark Kvamme and Tom Suiter
CKS was instrumental in the establishment of major web-based brands, including ebay, Amazon, Yahoo and Excite
Through CKS, helped to popularize the web as a viable communications medium for corporate accounts
CKS profoundly influenced major clients in their web strategies, including United Airlines, General Motors, Mazda, Fujitsu and Disney
CKS filed an IPO in 1995, becoming the first marketing company to successfully leverage the emerging web environment

Current Activities (1998 2003)
From 1998 through 2000 served as the Chairman of a successful startup, Matchmaker.com
Launched a successful campaign to establish Matchmaker as a premier subscription web-based company
Served as Board Chairman through the successful sale of Matchmaker to Lycos
continues to work on startups and medium-sized companies
Through work at Santa Clara University, established the chair (Professor Al Bruno) in the graduate school of business
Currently, serves as an Executive Fellow and member of the Leavey School of Business advisory board