About the Author
William S. Kane is a highly accomplished human resources executive with experience in all aspects of global functional management. He has specific expertise in leading, planning, and executing the human capital strategy associated with profitable business transformations—including startups, large-scale mergers and acquisitions, and enterprise-wide stabilization and repositioning.
Bill has held senior positions for a variety of multinational industrial leaders, such as International Flavors and Fragrances Inc., Electrolux/Frigidaire, and FMC Corporation—companies with sales volumes ranging from $250 million to $17 billion, with more than 100,000 employees. He's presently the vice president of human resources and general administration for Kyowa Pharmaceutical in Princeton, NJ.
Bill is an adjunct professor in the MAOB graduate-level certificate program in leadership studies at Fairleigh Dickinson University, as well as a frequent guest lecturer at Montclair State University and at Rutgers University. His professional memberships include the New Jersey Human Resource Planning Group (NJHRPG), the Society for Human Resource Management (SHRM), and the national Academy of Management (AOM). He's also a mentor in the nationally recognized leadership program for Women Unlimited and in the Beyond the Banks executive program at Rutgers College.
Bill's perspective on matters of corporate responsibility and human resources has been featured in USA Today, National Business Employment Weekly, and The Financial Times. He has also appeared at New Jersey gubernatorial press conferences, New Jersey congressional hearings, and at forums sponsored by the New Jersey Department of Labor and the New Jersey Network.
Bill is currently studying for his Ph.D. in human and organization development at the Fielding Graduate University in Santa Barbara, California. As an extension of his academic efforts, Bill has collaborated with John Wooden, UCLA's Coach Emeritus, and Andy Hill, authors of the best-selling book Be Quick But Don't Hurry, to create and conduct management training seminars for corporate clients, civic groups, and students seeking to lead their teams toward optimized and sustained performance (www.woodenwayleadership.com).
Bill holds three master's degrees: an MA from Fielding in human and organization development, and an MBA in management and an MA in organizational psychology from Fairleigh Dickinson University. He earned his undergraduate degree from Rutgers College.
Bill is a resident of Westfield, New Jersey. He may be contacted at [email protected].
Acknowledgments
I would like to thank several people for their faith in me during this project, including
Coach John Wooden and Andy Hill for their confidence and enthusiasm.
Jennifer Simon of Pearson for this opportunity.
Russ Hall and John D. Kammeyer-Mueller for their editorial eyes.
Rob Gilbert and Richard White for their faith and prodding, and sounding-board guidance.
My professional colleagues Andy O'Connor (Jr. and Sr.), Carolyn Ott, Frank Palma, Kathy Strickland, Dale Winston, Laurie Murphy, Marcia Glatman, Emil Vogel, Bob Mintz, Keith Mullin, Phil Masin, Mike Brenner, Susan Bishop, Stuart Lipper, and Bob Marino.
My academic advisors of influence through the years: Bob Chell, Paul Strauss, Keith Melville, and Charlie Seashore.
Some present and former coworkers, especially Bill Cassidy, Jerry Senion, John Warren, David Owen, Tom Moran, Raj Sinha, Dick Furlaud, Paul Maccaro, Shigeru Kobayashi, Phil Chaikin, and Phyllis Lockwood.
Friends Jim Johnson, Terri Freeman, Bob Cahill, Laura and Rodger Studwell, Bob Lackaye, Tom Decker, Rick Elliott, Bret Schundler, Neil Horne, the late Gary Kehler, Holly Robertson, Franci Ferguson, George Clay, and the late Pat Hyland.
Brothers Dennis and Bob; and especially David for his ongoing support.
Sons Billy, David, and Michael for their tolerance and patience.
My wife Coleen for her love and endless encouragement that withstood many of my tests.
My late mother for her heart; my father for his lap.
You're all very special.