William Edward “Bill” Haslam is an American politician and businessman. He is the 49th and present Governor of Tennessee.
Bill is a member of the Republican Party. In 2010, he was elected as the Governor and sworn in on 15th January 2011.
Early Life and Education of Bill
Bill was born on 23rd August 1958 in Knoxville, Tennessee. Bill was one of the three children. Bill attended Webb School of Knoxville, where he was active in the Christian group Young Life (from 2011). He graduated with BA in History from Emory University (1980). In College, Bill became member of the Beta Chi chapter of the Sigma Chi International Fraternity.
After his education, Bill joined his brother Jimmy and father James in the family business. James Haslam was the founder and chairman of Pilot Corporation. Jimmy was the CEO of the same Company. Bill joined and rose to the rank of president in 1955. He left Pilot Corp to be the CEO of the department store chain Saks Fifth Avenue (1999-2001).
Personal Life of Bill
Bill is married to Crissy Garrett and they have three children. They have their resident at Governor’s Mansion. Bill has saved historic S&W Cafeteria in downtown Knoxville. He has built a new cinema called the Regal Riviera in downtown. Also, he has helped with the renovation of the historic Bijou Theatre.
Bill was appointed to four years term on Advisory Council on Historic Preservation by U.S. President George W. Bush (2008). Bill met his wife, Crissy Garrett, at Emory University. In 1981, they married and have two daughters and a son. Bill is a long time member of Cedar Springs Presbyterian Church.
Family of Bill
Father of Bill
Father James “Jim” Arthur Haslam was born on 13th December 1930 in Detroit, Michigan, U.S. His current resident is in Knoxville, Tennessee, U.S. James graduate from University of Tennessee. He founded the Pilot Corp and has been working since 1958. He was married to Cynthia Allen who lived from 1953 to 1974. James later married Natalie Leach in 1976. The names of the three children are Jimmy Haslam, Bill Haslam and Ann Haslam (Bailey).
Brother of Bill
James “Jimmy” Arthur Haslam was born on 9th March 1954 in Knoxville, Tennessee to Jim and Cynthia. He has residents at Knoxville, Tennessee and Bratenahl, Ohio. Jimmy was educated from the University of Tennessee. Jimmy is a businessman, NFL team owner, and philanthropist. Since 1974, Jimmy has been working with his father James Haslam. He had founded Pilot Corp and is still the chairman of the same Company. Jimmy was promoted to the position of CEO around the 1900s when his brother Bill joined. Jimmy is married to Dee Bagwell since 1976. They have three children namely Jim, Whitney and Cynthia.
Net Worth of Bill Haslam
Bill Haslam is net worth $2.7 Billion. Bill was ranked as the 782nd richest man in the world as per Forbes in 2017 and was the 282nd richest American. He was ranked at the 274th spot in the Forbes list of 400 world billionaires in 2016.
As the Tennessee Governor, Bill was the richest politician in America until Donald Trump ran for election. Bill held back endorsing his fellow Republican billionaire. Before his elections, Bill Haslam was the president of the Pilot Corporation belonging to his family. The Company was founded by his father, James Haslam. Bill got the idea to run for office while he was bike riding with Bob Corker (Then Chattanooga mayor and now the U.S. senator). Bill was elected as the Knoxville mayor (2003). He earned the key to the Governor’s Mansion (2010). He won the election again.