Early Life and Education
William Edward Haslam was born in Knoxville, Tennessee, on August 23, 1958. He is the son of Jim Haslam, the founder of Pilot Corporation. Haslam attended Emory University, where he earned a bachelor's degree in history in 1980.
Rise to Success
After graduating, Haslam joined his father's company, Pilot Corporation, and became president in 1995. He then served as the CEO of the e-commerce and catalog division at Saks Fifth Avenue from 1999 to 2001. He was elected as the mayor of Knoxville in 2003 and was re-elected in 2007. In 2010, Haslam won the election to become the Governor of Tennessee.
Key Business Strategies and Political Career
As governor, Haslam focused on job creation, education reform, and workforce development. His administration implemented the Tennessee Excellence, Accountability and Management (TEAM) Act and other initiatives related to budget cuts, tax reforms, education, and social policies. Haslam's tenure as governor was marked by economic growth and improvements in education. He also oversaw the creation of approximately 450,000 private-sector jobs during his time in office.
Philanthropy
Haslam has been involved in various philanthropic endeavors. He has served on the boards of organizations like Teach for America and Young Life. Haslam, along with his wife Crissy, also started a tutoring program to help kids keep up with school during Covid-19 closures.