Bill Hicks has over 15 years of experience in content strategy, writing, and management. He has a Masters in Written Communication and has held roles managing teams that develop content, build taxonomies, and ensure content quality. Bill enjoys writing across various genres and has published several books. He is passionate about learning and has developed skills in areas such as social media, marketing communications, and project management.

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Bill Hicks
Content Analyst Consultant | Freelance Writer and Editor | LION 11K |
williamdhicks@comcast.net
Summary
224-231-8895 | WilliamDHicks@gmail.com | www.williamdhicks.wordpress.com
I love writing. From 2nd grade when I wrote a profile about a baker, to last week when I wrote about a job
seeker’s journey, I have loved writing. I attained my Masters in Written Communication at a university with
the best curriculum for me. One where I learned everything from how to write humor essays, to how to write
brochures. While my most recent job experience has revolved around product content, I can help you with your
content marketing because it's all in the words we choose.
At 5, I thought I’d be a teacher. And in some ways I am. I’m proud of the people I taught and mentored who
rose up the ladder and shined. I even taught a few people that bad situations had good consequences.
After college, I wanted to be a copywriter. Like many grads, that wasn’t meant to be. I ended up in sales. Still,
the community paper where I landed taught me that everybody needs to wear three hats and pitch in to make
magic happen. My space-sales experience helped me learn how easy it was to sell anything I believed in. So,
writing product sales copy came easily. In my job I also learned about style manuals, catalog layouts, managing
and mentoring people, and how to be a good boss. Did I mention I also love learning? Perhaps that’s why I
learned so much about social media. Oh, and I love art. My Flickr account is packed with photos and artwork.
If you think I might be a good fit for your company please contact me.
Bill
Skills Include:
Concept Development,
Content Hierarchy,
Content Management,
Content Manager,
Content Marketing,
Content Portal Development,
Content Strategy,
Content Syndication,

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Content Taxonomy,
Content Writing,
Copyediting,
Copywriting,
Digital Marketing,
Editing,
Marketing Communications,
Product Information Management (PIM),
Project Management,
Public Speaking,
Social Media Enthusiast,
User Engagement,
Writing
LinkedIn profile is PDF below.
Skills & Expertise
Product Information Management
Brand Development
Creative Direction
Newsletters
SAP MDM
Taxonomy
Mentoring
Strategy
Editorial
CMS
Direct Marketing
Creative Writing
Books
Publications
Microsoft Office
Email Marketing
Advertising
Press Releases
B2B Marketing
Social Networking
Social Media Marketing
Online Marketing
Management
Facebook
Web Content Management

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Editing
Training
Copy Editing
Proofreading
SEO
Content Development
Copywriting
Blogging
Public Speaking
Publishing
Team Building
Travel Writing
B2B
Writing
Social Media
E-commerce
Content Marketing
Web Content
Leadership
Content Management
Strategic Planning
WordPress
Content Strategy
Marketing
Marketing Communications
Experience
Content Analyst Consultant at Grainger
2016 - Present (less than a year)
Contractor at InSync Staffing.
Apply taxonomies and category requirement to SKUs in order to provide a web friendly user experience –
normalize descriptions for SKUs, gap-fill missing information, move SKUs, analyze and correct wrong data.
Make taxonomy attribute addition and deletion recommendations.
Volunteer Trainer/Facilitator and Writer at Business and Career Services, Inc.
2016 - Present (less than a year)
Presenting Career Management Workshops (Goals, Job Search, Resume, and Interviewing) to participants in
transition between employment.
Communication by phone, e-mail, and brief in-person meetings with Volunteer Coordinator to discuss
workshop content changes, policies, and procedures, and to check upcoming presentation schedule.

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Attend monthly meetings to stay current with any changes in presentation.
Participate in training classes scheduled for volunteer presenters.
Wrote content marketing materials that included Presenter Guidelines, Taglines, and PowerPoint slides.
Marketed Power Employment and other services via social media.
Content Analysis Manager at Essendant (formerly known as United Stationers)
2015 - 2015 (less than a year)
Content Analysis
Managed four analysts who reviewed and tracked items for content completeness.
Gathered requirements for 38 green fields and added them to our content portal and database which made it
easier for suppliers to add green data consistently and for the content group to review fewer values and for
our channels team to sell more in this vertical.
People Management
Hired, coached and mentored associates within department. Strong communication and problem solving
skills.
Created a set of Standard Operating Procedures for all analysts.
Process Management
Identified opportunities for automation, process improvement, and resource optimization.
Instrumental in the formation of a content grading tool used by reseller community.
Marketing Communications
Charged with creating marketing materials explaining content structure and portal.
Oversaw creation of a PowerPoint presentation that explained grading system for catalogs and websites.
Wrote marketing content and directed graphics build.
Content Acquisition Manager at Essendant
2013 - 2015 (2 years)
Content Acquisition (Supplier Portal)
Provided superior customer service to internal/external stakeholders. Identified repetitive complaints and
wrote training documents to address repetitive problems (determined through caller metrics). Troubleshot
portal errors. Collaborated with IT on system enhancements.
Conceptualized and created a UNSCPC cross reference tool to help identify taxonomies based on similar
categories, addressing one of the most common complaints.

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Identified that filters were lost when moving between screens and oversaw creation of a sticky filter that
helped to reduce writer review time by 33%.
Developed innovative Knowledgebase for problem resolution which lessened user downtime.
Created a Terms & Definitions page in content portal that allowed users to work offline.
Supplier Services
Led three associates in content collection/writing/editing.
Jobs changed in December 2015 and new process caused first project to be late. I provided leadership in the
revamp of the process. I had my team gather content off supplier websites instead of waiting for suppliers,
and I applied a formula based off metrics plus 25% to determine future project timelines. Methodology
allowed all future projects to complete on time.
Created Standard Operating Procedures for content acquisition and supplier services teams. Change agent
with ability to build, train and mentor highly productive teams.
Content Corrections
Oversaw the review/correction/reporting of rich content errors in our content database.
Changed review process and had associate review “conversations” as opposed to emails, which reduced
redundant error review by about 15%.
Reduced correction mailboxes from three to one to centralize reporting and reduce handling by other
associates. This increased efficiency by 66%.
Content Analysis
Managed four analysts that reviewed and managed content completion projects.
Oversaw creation of a query that analyzed item status and reduced analysis time by 10%.
Content Enrichment Services Manager at Essendant
2008 - 2013 (5 years)
Managed six full-time employees to determine the content needs of internal stakeholders. Oversaw content
assessment, acquisition, creation and normalization for reseller items. Wrote and edited product content.
Built taxonomies and hierarchies for better eCommerce searchability.
In 2008, improved content allowed internal Smart Search program to outpace a competitor’s similar product.
I received a High Performance Team (HPT) Award.
Reduced cost to source freelancers over $175,000 by using craigslist instead of offsite agencies. Hired 40%
(11 of 26) of freelancers as associates, creating additional savings.
Wrote a series of information factoids (By the Way, Rx for Success, Furniture Facts) that generated user
interest and helped move users through the catalog pages.

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Part of a two-person team that reduced a 60,000 SKU database from 1200+ to less than 600 taxonomies.
Over a five-month period, managed a team that reviewed/assigned new attributes and created copy for over
8,000 SKUs. This was instrumental in saving the company over $1.2M/year. I received a HPT Award.
Rich Content Manager [LION] at Essendant
March 2005 - September 2008 (3 years 7 months)
Managed six full-time employees to determine the content needs of internal stakeholders. Oversaw content
assessment, acquisition, creation and normalization for reseller items. Wrote and edited product content.
Built taxonomies and hierarchies for better eCommerce searchability.
In 2008, improved content allowed internal Smart Search program to outpace a competitor’s similar product.
I received a High Performance Team (HPT) Award.
Reduced cost to source freelancers over $175,000 by using craigslist instead of offsite agencies. Hired 40%
(11 of 26) of freelancers as associates, creating additional savings.
Wrote a series of information factoids (By the Way, Rx for Success, Furniture Facts) that generated user
interest and helped move users through the catalog pages.
Part of a two-person team that reduced a 60,000 SKU database from 1200+ to less than 600 taxonomies.
Over a five-month period, managed a team that reviewed/assigned new attributes and created copy for over
8,000 SKUs. This was instrumental in saving the company over $1.2M/year. I received a HPT Award.
Editorial Services Administrator at Essendant
2003 - 2005 (2 years)
Proofread and edited pages to company style.
Instrumental in creating Styles Manual that reduced freelancer errors in October 2004.
Real Estate/Classified Advertising Manager at Sentury Publications
1987 - 1992 (5 years)
Volunteer Experience
Writer for Awareness Improvement Project--Content Marketing at Habitat for Humanity
International
July 2012 - July 2013

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Rewrote content and performed UAT on new website for Chicagoland location. Oversaw video content
marketing and photography creation.
https://youtu.be/-jRaAEVE1Fo
Volunteer Trainer/Facilitator at Business and Career Services, Inc.
January 2016 - Present
Presenting Career Management Workshops (Goals, Job Search, Resume, and Interviewing) to participants in
transition between employment.
Communication by phone, e-mail, and brief in-person meetings with Volunteer Coordinator to discuss
workshop content changes, policies, and procedures, and to check upcoming presentation schedule.
Attend monthly meetings to stay current with any changes in presentation.
Participate in training classes scheduled for volunteer presenters.
Public Speaker at Toastmaster International
March 2016 - Present
# Improving my verbal communication skills so they are on par with my written communication skills.
# Have given two prepared speeches as I work toward my Competent Communicator status.
# Future speeches should make me an excellent public speaker.
Writer--Content Marketing at Business and Career Services, Inc.
January 2016 - Present
Wrote content marketing materials that included Presenter Guidelines, Taglines, and PowerPoint slides.
Marketed Power Employment and other services via social media.
Publications
AHA!
Createspace December 20, 2011
Authors: Bill Hicks, Larry King, Andrew Brand, Jim Elgas, Curt Clapper, Alisa Kober
What happens when regular folks meet at their local library and try their hand at writing? This Book! Enjoy
a variety of unique short stories and poems written by six published authors and budding new talents. From
lighthearted humor to tales of horror, AHA! has something delightful in store for everyone.
Save the Last Stall for Me
Publish America October 1, 2009
Authors: Bill Hicks, Gail Cohen, Jennifer Djordjevic, Barbara Moriarty, Jim Szczepaniak, Barbara K. Yohnka
Half a dozen writers. Six masters degrees. Two hundred plus years of work experience. Very few offspring,
but lots of pets. Put them together and you get a pack of authors collaborating on the best bathroom book to

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hit the market since Jokes for the John. Actually, this book is better. Save the Last Stall for Me doesn’t miss
a beat when it comes to people pleasing. Like a good read? You’ll find it here: mysteries, humor, poetry and
drama. Whether you need something for the commute or for the commode, or a fanciful tale to get your head
out of reality, find it all in this literary tribute to the humble bathroom. You’ll want to share the experience.
Grab your copy and add a few more to your shopping list for friends and family.
Twist
Untreed Reads September 15, 2011
Authors: Bill Hicks
As a boy growing up in 1953, Kevin Hull enjoyed playing games with his group of boyhood friends, like the
game of “ledge.” After one such game with his friend Billy Hawkins, the two find themselves involved in a
terrible accident that will forever change their lives.
Heavy Petting
Musa Publishing December 10, 2011
Authors: Bill Hicks, Gail Cohen, Jim Szczepaniak, Jennifer Djordjevic, Sue OBrien, Marjie Killeen, Barbara K.
Yohnka
An anthology of short stories and poems to be read in those spare moments between walking, grooming
and playing with your cats, dogs and other critters. This fun read will leave you with plenty of quality time
to spend with your pets between stories. Experience mystery, humor, pathos, romance and heart-grabbing
sentimental journeys as you follow the adventures of eight professional authors and a variety of critters.
When you’ve had your fill, share with a friend at the dog park. Heavy Petting is a great way to make new
friends of the two and four legged variety!
Killer Flies
Untreed Reads January 2, 2012
Authors: Bill Hicks
The Army plans to use a new breed of flies to protect combat soldiers. But Dr. John Pankow, their creator, is
worried that his killer flies are uncontrollable. Will Mother Nature's most genetically-altered weapon be the
ultimate armor, or the potential ravager of the entire world?
Education
National-Louis University
MS, Written Communication
Activities and Societies: Committee Member and Contributing Editor: Mosaic literary magazine. Utilized
content marketing to get students and educators involved.
Northeastern Illinois University
BA, English
Activities and Societies: Sigma Tau Delta
Interests
SOCIAL MEDIA: Twitter: 30000, Pinterest: 4300, Facebook: 5000, LinkedIn: 7000
_____________________________________________________________________________

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SKILLS INCLUDE:
Project Management,
User Engagement,
Marketing Communications,
Social Media Enthusiast,
Digital Marketing,
Concept Development,
Copywriting,
Content Management,
Content Marketing,
Content Strategy,
Content Taxonomy,
Content Hierarchy,
Content Portal Development,
Content Syndication,
Travel Writing,
Writing,
Sales
Languages
English (Native or bilingual proficiency)
Courses
Independent Coursework
HTML Beginner/Advanced
MySQL Beginner/Advanced
PHP Beginner/Advanced
Access Beginner/Advanced
SixSigma Green Belt Training
Excel Beginner/Intermediate/Advanced Pivot Tables & VLookups
Joomla

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WordPress

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Bill Hicks
Content Analyst Consultant | Freelance Writer and Editor | LION 11K |
williamdhicks@comcast.net
26 people have recommended Bill
"I had the privilege of working with Bill for many years at Essendant (formerly United Stationers), and
always found him to be a collaborative manager able to quickly distill complex issues into actionable
processes. He embraces his role with a high level of energy and enthusiasm and is a highly effective team
leader, coach and mentor. Bill has an outstanding work ethic, and can be counted on to consistently deliver
projects on time and on budget. I would highly recommend Bill to any organization seeking effective,
professional and insightful leadership."
— Art Jacobsen, MBA, Manager, Sales Commissions & Vendor Programs, Essendant, worked with Bill at
Essendant (formerly known as United Stationers)
"I had the privilege of working with Bill for many years and have seen him achieve remarkable results against
very challenging deadlines. He is a tireless collaborator who is dedicated to the success of the team and
providing a top-notch experience for customers and suppliers. He is great at presenting complex concepts to
non-technical audiences and at turning new ideas into compelling marketing content. He is always thinking
about the big picture and what success means for the business as projects and programs evolve."
— Marc Hertz, Manager, Publishing and Visual Content, Content Shared Services, Essendant, worked
directly with Bill at Essendant (formerly known as United Stationers)
"I worked with Bill cross functionally for several years at Untied Stationers/Essendant. He continually meets
and exceeds timelines to ensure his work is complete and continually works at a high-energy level. Moreover,
Bill is a dynamic and highly detailed leader. I would recommend Bill and he is a great asset!"
— Michele Anderson | MBA |, Manager Supplier On Boarding, Essendant, worked with Bill at Essendant
(formerly known as United Stationers)
"Bill is a tireless and dedicated manager who has been a valuable asset to Essendant. He is a detail-oriented
guy who just does what’s required to get the job done, no matter how high you set the bar. Bill has been
a particularly good partner for me in his ability to operationalize a team strategy and run an effective,
high-output team. During his time at Essendant, Bill was thrown some new and difficult programs, and
he mastered each of them with a high level of professionalism and hard work. Bill also demonstrated a

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remarkable sixth sense in his ability to recruit skilled talent. I would absolutely recommend Bill to any
company who’s looking for an experienced, no-nonsense team leader."
— Michael Hauck, Sr. Director, Content & Syndication, Essendant, managed Bill at Essendant (formerly
known as United Stationers)
"Bill is a very detailed oriented professional who thinks outside the box. He is creative and truly cares about
the work he produces. Bill doesn't hesitate to help others and shares his knowledge to improve other people's
lives. Bill goes out of his way to be helpful and is a true team player. "
— Lena Georgiev, CPA, MBA, Life Coach, Life coach, lenalifecoaching.com, taught Bill at Essendant
(formerly known as United Stationers)
"I have worked with Bill for several years and have a high degree of respect for his knowledge and
professionalism. He has been a thought leader and a "go to" person in his area of expertise. I would highly
recommend Bill."
— Larry Piemonte, Category Manager, United Stationers, worked with Bill at Essendant (formerly known
as United Stationers)
"Bill is a diligent manager. My experience with him both professionally and personally was very good. He
always took the time to answer any questions and to help me understand how my work contributed to both the
team and the company as a whole. He is very process-oriented and keen on ensuring accountability from his
subordinates. I absolutely recommend him for anyone needing a manager of content services."
— Marc Pressley, Content Analyst, Essendant, reported to Bill at Essendant (formerly known as United
Stationers)
"Bill is a wonderful, talented writer. In Bill, is a very detailed oriented professional who thinks outside the
box. He is truly a creative writer, that cares about the work he produces. Bill doesn't hesitate to help others
and shares his knowledge to improve other people's lives. Bill goes out of his way to be helpful and is a true
team player. "
— Landon, Kathleen, Owner and Photographer, Landon Photography, worked directly with Bill at
Essendant
"I had the privilege of working with Bill at Essendant as a contractor and then continued to do so after
transitioning to a full-time employee through his support and mentorship. As a leader, he is able to
successfully direct a team working multiple projects through effective strategy plans, efficient organization
of resources, and meticulous tracking of project progress. As a manager, Bill was well-liked by his direct
reports, peers, and management personnel. With his approachable and down-to-earth demeanor, he fostered
healthy relationships with his team by actively listening to and encouraging open communication from them.

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Lastly, Bill is respected for his accomplishments he left Essendant with. He will be missed by many in the
Essendant community. "
— Ramona Joseph, reported to Bill at Essendant
"Bill is a dedicated associate. I have worked with him on many IT projects to improve system capabilities.
Bill is detailed in his requirements and easy to work with as the project progresses through the SDLC. Bill
is thorough in his testing and pays careful attention to detail. I enjoy collaborating on business projects with
Bill. "
— Debbie Buchholz, Project leader, United Stationers, worked with Bill at Essendant
"Bill Hicks and I worked together at Essendant. More recently, Bill and I were involved in a volunteer effort
for Habitat for Humanity, Chicago Chapter. Bill and I were on their website redesign team. Bill wrote content
and recruited others to assist in this volunteer project. He was an intricate part of the project. I would happily
engage Bill on a future project."
— Mary Sias, Ecommerce Business Analyst, United Stationers, worked with Bill at Essendant
"Bill, is a great team member, detail oriented, willing to pitch in and help wherever needed. Bill completes
assignments on-time, is a participative and valuable contributor going above and beyond."
— Glenn Quaiver, managed Bill indirectly at Essendant
"Bill has been a sterling business partner who brings a "Can Do" attitude to all that is brought to him. He is a
take-charge person who is able to present creative ideas to complex problems. He gets along extremely well
with staff under his supervision as well as colleagues at his own level. He is highly regarded, as both a person
and a professional, by colleagues, employees, suppliers, and customers alike."
— Christopher Lok, managed Bill indirectly at Essendant
"I have worked with Bill for over a year and a half and have come to know him well. His zeal for learning
beyond his trade is testament to his dedication towards professional growth and commitment to further the
goals of our department and company. He is an inventive, quick-witted, interpersonal communication expert
who is always able to identify a problem and find multiple ways to solve it. Bill is an invaluable asset to the
team and fantastic to work with!"
— Jamie Mennicke, worked with Bill at Essendant
"Bill has all the attributes you want to see in a successful content manager. He's got the customer skills,
domain expertise, the passion, and the experience to work within a collaborative environment and deliver
great results every time. Bill is a great leader with strong management instincts, he excels at recruiting and

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developing talent and is very adept at training new employees on complex subjects without overwhelming
them. Bill is a great communicator and has strong interpersonal skills that drive great working relationships
with both clients and associates. After over 5 years of working with Bill everyday I have learned to count on
him tremendously."
— Mark Evans, managed Bill at Essendant
"Bill is very professional and pays close attention to detail, which is required in his position. Bill gets along
well with customers and is a quick study. Bill has become an expert at understanding the nuances of content
management, content cleansing, and the writing skills associated with it. On top of all that, he is a really nice
guy to work with, too!"
— Laura Gale, managed Bill indirectly at Essendant
"Bill has a gift for getting things done in a fast-paced environment where change is a constant and flexibility
is a must. He is able to explain complex data management processes so that they are less daunting and is very
good at organizing his department. His communication skills are excellent; he has a passion for the written
word that I really like. In short, he does so many things well that it's easy to root for the guy."
— John Mabin, reported to Bill at Essendant
"Bill has a deep understanding of content management processes and related technology utilized within his
department. He is able to clearly articulate how technology can help improve process efficacy and efficiency.
We collaborate to develop applications to automate repetitive manual tasks thereby improving resource
utilization. As a result of Bill's leadership these applications are clearly defined and designed for users within
a wide range of computer technology comfort and skill. I enjoy working with Bill to implement his vision of
a more effective and efficient content management organization."
— Mark Stephens, worked indirectly for Bill at Essendant
"Bill is a highly detail-oriented manager who never loses grasp of strategy. His ability to provide me with a
broad scope understanding of my projects while offering insight into tactical issues was a key factor in my
success working at United Stationers. I would not hesitate to work with (or for) Bill again in the future. His
flexibility and creativity are an asset to any team."
— Keith Strohm, worked indirectly for Bill at Essendant
"William is a very conscientious worker dedicated to perfection. He strives for excellence and is very
motivated."
— Tamar Meisel, was with another company when working with Bill at Essendant

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"Bill was my favorite "go-to guy" for many special projects. He takes direction well; is thorough in his
fact finding; understands style and presentation; completes assignments on time; and, when appropriate,
offers suggestions for improvement. Bill Hicks is one of those rare people who goes the extra mile on every
assignment he's given. If in a position to do so, I would hire him again in a heart beat."
— Robert Smetana, managed Bill indirectly at Essendant
"Bill continually demonstrates his unique ability to provide effective leadership resulting in a highly
productive and professional work environment. Bill recognizes the importance of the team but at the same
time seamlessly expresses his individual style of management. The end result is a win-win for the employer
and employee."
— Steven John, reported to Bill at Essendant
"I have had the privilege to work side-by-side with Bill as a Copy Manager and as a freelancer. Bill is an
extremely talented writer and takes his work seriously. He has strong leadership skills. Because of Bill’s
flexibility, he works well in a team environment and independently. When working on projects for him,
his instructions are extremely detailed, but should any questions come up, he responds to them in a timely
manner…no matter how busy he may be. Any company that Bill works for will be very fortunate to have
him."
— Jean Mehaljevic, worked directly with Bill at Essendant
"As a marketing communications service provider, I have had the opportunity to work with Bill Hicks on
a variety of projects, including catalog page production, data collection, database content creation, and
proofreading. Bill is a creative professional with exceptional communication skills. He clearly identifies
the strategy and objectives of each project, so high quality, comprehensive solutions are generated, and
expectations are met. It is a pleasure to work with him! --Cheryl Baier InteMar Communications"
— Cheryl Baier, was a consultant or contractor to Bill at Essendant
"Bill is, above all of his great qualities, trustworthy and reliable. I worked with Bill at Sentury Publications
and later hired him to operate my printing company when I was on vacation. That's trust. In addition, Bill is
personable, kind spirited, and has a great sense of humor. Highly recommended!"
— Steve Alter, Mathematics Teacher, Chicago Public Schools, worked directly with Bill at Sentury
Publications
"I've known Bill for a number of years and have found him to be an exceptional writer, editor and dedicated
team player. I attended National-Louis University with Bill and had the pleasure of working with him on
the university's first literary anthology - Mosaic. In addition, I'm currently working with Bill and others on a

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book to be published later this summer. Bill's commitment to his work and the people he interacts with are
exemplary qualities that make him stand out from the crowd."
— Jennifer Djordjevic, worked with Bill at National-Louis University
Contact Bill on LinkedIn