Book Description
This biography, hysterically at times is about Bill's life well lived life, from my prankster days growing up in Brooklyn with my best friend Louie, who always got me into trouble to the present where sadly I lost his oldest, beloved son to Cancer. Some of my high school exploits would not go over well in today's world. At the University of Alabama, where I was bounced from one fraternity, only to join the AEpi fraternity (at the insistence of his soon to become wife of 60+ years). After being graduated with a BS in Finance Bill spends an interesting year working for his wife's wholesale shoe company. I meet some fascinating people, such as the famous WWI hero Sgt. York, along with extremely interesting "hillbilly's" in the Hill country of Tennessee. Being drafted in the army comes next. Basic training in Ft. Jackson, the Chemical Corp, close to home, with it's gas masks and atropine surrettes, and then being levied out to Korea. Aboard ship I met Jimmy who has become my closest friend. Jimmy gets me my own room, office and painting studio with an assignment to paint a mural for the Captain of the ship. The book will show how a non painter survives the assignment. The war had ended in Korea, so there was little fighting. I was given a cushion assignment, working for the general's in 8th Army HQ, after hours, teaching English to Korean students, executives and military. Just before returning to the states and after my excellent contacts had already left a jealous Major manages to bust me in rank. Upon my return we move back North and I get an executive training job with Thom McAn shoe company, where I advance up the ladder and being trained by incredibly talented and ethical management. Among the interesting stories you will read how a promotion and a move from Chicago to New Jersey costs me a tidy sum in because of a lowered salary. After almost 9 years I move on to Kitty Kelly shoe company where I eventually become president. After 2 1/2 years I am fired because the son that had caused a prior bankruptcy is brought back by the chairman of the board. Ben, the owner although a genius in some respects was crude, bigoted and when drinking heavily (often) was mean as hell. When you read of his antics you will split your sides laughing. I was fired despite the fact that I had the best years either before or after I left. As the saying goes "blood is thicker than water". My next job was executive vice president with a footwear import company. I traveled extensively overseas, working long hours and being involved in styling, production and sales. At one point I decided to go out on my own. I discussed it with Eric, the owner and he suggested that I work part time for the company and part time for myself. When I discussed the offer with Sylvia (my wife), she said that she supports any decision that I would make but that I couldn't do both well. I opted to go out on my own and I formed Marquesa International Corporation. I started small in Italy in order to stay away from Eric's sources in other countries. Eventually I would expand to Spain, England, Brazil, Uruguay, Argentina, Chile, Taiwan, Yugoslavia, and even exporting from the United States. The stories about the events in these countries are fascinating. Marquesa eventually reaches it's peak as a $55 million import-export company. At that point I am scammed by a large Columbus, Ohio company and end up with a huge International lawsuit which drains the company and ruins it. My retirement lasts two weeks, after which I take a sales job with a division of Montgomery-Ward, a company that I previously had as a customer. Eventually they are sold and I join a new company (after a 10 day retirement) that does alternative financing. After which I am approached to help form a similar type company as executive vice president, where I remain until the recession of 2009. I am currently doing sales and loan consulting for corporations. Read the book. You will laugh. learn and learn.
