Bill grew up moving around the United States as his father changed jobs, so to say that he is “from” any place in particular would be inaccurate.  He ended up attending college at Marquette University in Milwaukee, Wisconsin both because it was a good school and he received a scholarship from the Marine Corps to go there, which helped considerably with the decision.  He graduated and was commissioned as an officer in the Marine Corps in May 1986.  He spent the next 34 years as an infantry officer commanding units of varying sizes and deploying around the world to include several tours in Iraq.  

Upon selection as a Brigadier General, he began to specialize in military training and education through leading Marine Corps University, commanding the Marine Corps’ desert training facility in California, and ending his career responsible for all training and education in the Marine Corps.  This is an area he is passionate about.  So much so that he has spoken to large groups of military personnel as well as written articles regarding the importance of lifelong learning. 

Upon retirement, he and his wife followed through on their career long plans to retire in her hometown of Arvada, Colorado.  Their twin daughters live nearby, and both have had children, so there are plenty of opportunities to spoil the grandkids.  Their son is a Chemical Engineer and lives in Charlotte, North Carolina.   

Post retirement employment has included teaching leadership and designing for defense at the University of Colorado as well as teaching critical thinking and lifelong learning at the US Naval Postgraduate School (NPS).  He has also supported a course provided to the commanders of Marine Corps fighting units and focused on command and leadership.  He has done this as an independent consultant working for Obsidian Solutions Group.  In addition, he spent a year working for the US Consulting Firm Kearney in the United Arab Emirates assisting their military in the areas of training and education.  He continues to teach at NPS and is now one of the three founding owners of Dark Horse Associates, Incorporated. 

Bill’s personal interests involve gardening (when home) as well as swimming, road biking, reading and writing.  He is the co-author of a book about his experiences in Fallujah, Iraq entitled Fallujah Redux which came out in 2014.  He is also the author of What it Means to be a Man; How to Be a Better Person which was published by the Marine Corps University Press in February 2023.  It is oriented on assisting teenagers and young adults with making better decisions and becoming the people we need them to be.  He has also authored many articles as well as participated in multiple podcasts, all involving the importance of the lifelong pursuit of learning.