Early Life
William Edward Haslam was born on August 23, 1958, in Knoxville, Tennessee. He is the son of Jim Haslam, the founder of Pilot Corporation, a leading American privately held oil and gas company. Haslam grew up in Knoxville and attended the Webb School of Knoxville. He then studied at Emory University in Atlanta, Georgia, where he earned a Bachelor of Arts degree.
Rise to Success
After graduating from Emory University, Haslam joined his family's business, Pilot Corporation. He rose through the ranks, eventually becoming the president of the company. Later, he served as the CEO of the e-commerce and cataloging division at Saks Fifth Avenue from 1999 to 2001. Haslam then transitioned into politics. He served as the 67th Mayor of Knoxville, Tennessee, from 2003 to 2011. During his time as mayor, he balanced the city's budgets and focused on improving city services. He was elected as the 49th Governor of Tennessee in 2010 and served until 2019. During his tenure as governor, Tennessee saw significant improvements in education, economic development, and fiscal strength.
Key Business Strategies
Haslam's business acumen was honed at Pilot Corporation, a company founded by his father. The company grew into a major player in the travel center and gas station industry. The Haslam family sold Pilot to Berkshire Hathaway in phases, with the final sale of the remaining 20% completed in January 2024. Haslam's experience at Saks Fifth Avenue gave him exposure to e-commerce and cataloging operations. As governor, he focused on economic development by attracting new businesses to Tennessee.
Philanthropy
Bill Haslam, along with his wife Crissy, started a tutoring program to help children keep up with school during COVID-19 closures. He also serves on the boards of Teach for America and Young Life.
