Early Life and Business Career
William Edward Haslam was born on August 23, 1958, in Knoxville, Tennessee. His father, Jim Haslam, founded Pilot Corporation, the parent company of Pilot Flying J. Bill Haslam graduated from Emory University in 1980 with a bachelor's degree in history. He began his career at Pilot Corporation, eventually rising to the position of president in 1995.
Rise to Success
In the 1990s, Bill Haslam became the president of Pilot Corporation. He later served as CEO of the e-commerce and cataloging division of Saks Fifth Avenue from 1999 to 2001. Haslam's success in the business world set the stage for his later ventures and provided the foundation for his significant net worth. After leaving Saks, he joined the board of Harold's Stores Inc. and eventually turned his focus to politics.
Key Business Strategies
The Haslam family sold Pilot Flying J to Berkshire Hathaway, with the final 20% stake acquired in January 2024. He oversaw the growth and expansion of Pilot Flying J, making it the largest travel center chain in North America with over 750 locations. The Haslams sold Pilot to Berkshire Hathaway for a total of $13.6 billion across three purchases in 2017, 2023 and 2024.
Philanthropy
Bill Haslam is also involved in philanthropy, particularly through the Young Life Board of Trustees and other community initiatives. Haslam and his wife, Crissy, in partnership with Tennessee youth organizations, started a tutoring program to help kids keep up with school during Covid-19 closures.