William Edward Anderson is a dynamic leader and speaker for our time. He is the Executive Director for Prison Fellowship in the state of Arizona and the creator of Step Out Approved and Renewed™ (SOAR™), a comprehensive program for inmates preparing to transition from incarceration to successful restoration into the community. He is also the CEO of The Vision Catalyst Group, a leadership and organizational development enterprise. Mr. Anderson is eagerly sought out by churches, government entities, educational institutions, businesses, and community organizations to present his message of hope, social change, and responsibility.
Deeply involved in religious and civic life, Mr. Anderson has served on several Gubernatorial and Legislative Task Forces focused on areas of Community, Justice, and Prisoner Issues; he has been appointed to State and County Commissions, and has participated on numerous non-profit Boards of Directors. Mr. Anderson is an active alumnus of the Black Board of Directors Project and a Centurion of the Wilberforce Forum.
A native of Berkeley, California, Mr. Anderson is a graduate of Stanford University, where he earned his degree in Communication; he is also currently pursuing an advanced Graduate degree in Conflict Management through Trinity Theological Seminary. During his time at Stanford Mr. Anderson won three varsity letters as a running-back for the two-time Bowl Champion and nationally ranked Stanford Cardinal football team, where he was coached and mentored by NFL Hall of Fame and three time SuperBowl Champion Head Coach, the late Bill Walsh. His leadership and athletic prowess led to him being chosen as the Cardinal Special Teams Captain and the Team’s Unsung Hero Award Winner.
For nearly 20 years Mr. Anderson lent his talents to the corporate sector in the Microelectronics Industry, serving as National Sales Manager with the international high-tech firm, Entegris, Inc., and as Director of Global Sales and Chairman of the American Continental Account Team for Advanced Semiconductor Materials Lithography (ASML), of Veldhoven, The Netherlands.
Mr. Anderson descends from generations of church and lay activists. His paternal great grandfather, Rev. Thomas O. Anderson was the founding pastor of Washington Chapel AME Church in Tuskegee, Alabama in 1898. His maternal forebears helped found Bethlehem Lutheran Church in Oakland, California in 1929. His message and work have relevance for leadership throughout society. Mr. Anderson and his wife Marcía have four children and three treasured grandchildren, and reside in Chandler, Arizona.
I am the CEO of The Vision Catalyst Group. Our Mission is to prepare, equip, and assist new and emerging Christian Organizations to develop into dynamic, Kingdom-oriented, world class ministries, and vital leaders of cultural change; I am also the Executive Director of Prison Fellowship Ministries in Arizona. Our PF MIssion is to seek the transformation of prisoners and their reconciliation to God, their families and communities, through the power and truth of Jesus Christ.
Life & Professional Aspirations:
I gave up a very lucrative career following twenty years as an Executive in the Microeectronics Industry, in order to pursue making a substanative difference in the lives of those that need help in transforming their lives. I am hopeful of starting a National non-profit organization to assist African American Boys on their journey from boyhood, to significant, successful Manhood, for the sake of our people in the 21st Century.
Being a strong, intelligent, successful black scholar, athelete, and leader. I have that Stanford Degree and I thank God, my parents, family, and teamates for helping me to grow and develop into the leader that I have become. All glory to God!
Most Memorable Moment:
Getting that Degree in Hand after four hard years; Being named Special Teams Captain of the Stanford Cardinal Football Team; Being named Unsung Hero Award Winner of the Stanford Cardinal Football Team; Winning the Sun Bowl over LSU; Winning the Bluebonnet Bowl over Georgia; Being coached and mentored by NFL Hall of Fame and Superbowl Champion Coach Bill Walsh
High School: El Cerrito H.S. in El Cerrito, CA
class of 1975
Activities & Accomplishments:
Prep All American Football, Prep All American Baseball, Student Gvernment, Boys State, National Honor Society, Drama, Voted Student Body Best Personality
CEO|
The Vision Catalyst Group
From January 2006 to Current • 20 year(s)
Provides direct consulting services in start-up planning, board development, strategic planning, resource development, executive coaching, team building and conflict resolution to non-profits and ministry organizations.
Executive Director-State of Arizona|
Prison Fellowship
From January 2000 to Current • 26 year(s)
Directs effort to engage staff, volunteers, and partnering organizations in providing support to prisoners, ex-prisoners, crime victims, and their families. Serves as executive liaison between faith-based community and governmental agencies on behalf of those impacted by crime.
Associate|
Johnson & Associates (CorFac International)
From January 1999 to January 2000 • 1 year(s)
Provided consulting service, client representation, and sales of commercial real estate and real estate based investment products. Established High-Tech marketplace and expanded strategic focus on Executive Level interface.
Director of Global Sales/Chairman Continental Account Team|
Advanced Semiconductor Materials Lithography (ASML)
From January 1995 to January 1997 • 2 year(s)
Directed global sales operation for international high-tech original equipment manufacturer, achieving record breaking sales revenue totaling in excess of $750 million annually.
National Sales Manager|
Entegris, Inc. (formerly Fluoroware/Galtek, Inc.)
From January 1985 to January 1995 • 10 year(s)
Reorganized and restructured National Sales organization to achieve substantial reduction in cost of sales and record levels of sales and revenue growth. Managed team of 8 Regional Managers, 45 Distribution Company partners, and 17 Sales Representative organizations.
