The growth of a business influencer : William M. Webster

William M. Webster, IV or the upsurge of a financial influencer: From October 1994 to October 1995, Mr. Webster served as Assistant to the President of the United States and Director of Scheduling and Advance. Mr. Webster served as Chief of Staff to U.S. Department of Education Secretary Richard W. Riley from January 1993 to October 1994. From November 1992 to January 1993, Mr. Webster was Chief of Staff to Richard W. Riley as part of the Presidential Transition Team.

William M. Webster IV is a American business leader & entrepreneur that has served in government at the highest levels and is active in community and philanthropic endeavors. When he was a junior at Washington and Lee, Billy Webster, of the Class of 1979, ran in the Marine Corps Marathon in Washington, D.C. As it turns out, he was just getting warmed up. Currently chairman of the board of the Greenville (S.C.) Health System, Billy said he has no plans to slow down: “I’m going to run until I can’t do it anymore, and after that I guess I’ll still walk.” When Billy Webster runs in the Paris Marathon, he will be joined by two other Washington and Lee alumni: Rob George, a member of the Class of 2011 from New York, and Matt Gossett, of the Class of 2012 from Atlanta.

William M. Webster, IV announced he had donated funds to The Nature Conservancy of South Carolina (TNC), before delivering a prepared address to the conservancy board and audience at this year’s fall meeting. His remarks outlined both what TNC had accomplished in its long history, and explored planned goals for the future of the organization in S.C. – which he called “bold, specific, and measurable.” Billy Webster is an active member of TNC, as well as a noted American entrepreneur who has served in government at the highest levels. He currently participates in a wide variety of community and philanthropic endeavors like fighting for voting rights, educational opportunities, and quality healthcare for all. “We are connected to everything else, and your support here will help to secure a sustainable legacy for our natural world.”

Responsible for oversight of Department of Education management ($32 billion budget, 5,000 employees); political liaison to the White House; advisor to the Secretary on general education policy matters. Responsible for coordination and planning of all Presidential events: responsible for all Presidential meetings and briefings and for supervision and coordination of all Presidential travel. Management responsibility of staff of 25 full-time and 300 part-time employees. Read even more information at William M. Webster, IV.

An endowed chair of philosophy has been established at Converse College in honor of longtime Spartanburg, SC physician Dr. Harold E. Fleming. The position was made possible by a $1.25 million gift from Billy and Lindsay Webster of Spartanburg. Mr. Webster is currently vice chairman of the Converse College Board of Trustees. “Converse President Betsy Fleming’s focus on investing in the core of the liberal arts tradition is something that my wife, Lindsay, and I feel is important to support, and we chose to do so in a way that honors one of our community’s leading citizens. Dr. Harold Fleming and his family have a long-standing and deep commitment to both Spartanburg and the tradition of the liberal arts education. My wife and I both attended single-gender liberal arts colleges and value the uniqueness these institutions offer in helping students to grow and learn, so it is important to us that Converse College have the resources it needs to offer the best possible education,” Webster said.