April 2016 Member Spotlight: Bill Lawrence
April 2016 Member Spotlight: Bill Lawrence
Name: Bill Lawrence, APR, Fellow PRSA
Job Title/Company: Principal, Lawrence & Associates
College/Degree/Graduation Date: TCU, BBA, 1966
Hometown: Fort Worth, Texas
Position within GFWPRSA (i/a): Chair, Judging Committee, 2016 Worthy Awards, and Chair, Judging Committee, 2016 Rochester (NY) PRSA PRism Awards; former president of GFWPRSA (1992)
Childhood ambition (what did you want to be when you grew up?): I was inspired by my parents and relatives to be a self-employed entrepreneur.
Current livelihood (what you’re actually doing as a grown-up): I am a principal in Lawrence & Associates, which I started in 1989 to focus on public relations, marketing and fundraising.
First PR job: I was fortunate to serve as director of communications for the Texas Manufacturers Association (now Texas Association of Business), the state’s leading employer organization. Representing companies from the largest multi-national corporations to small businesses in nearly every community of our state, TAB works to improve the Texas business climate and to help make our state’s economy the strongest in the world.
What you know now that you wish you’d known then: Anything is possible.
Best piece of advice you’ve ever received: Listen, learn and stay healthy; do your homework and do the right thing.
Greatest professional or personal accomplishment: I believe that my greatest accomplishments have been marrying my wife and founding Lawrence & Associates.
If you weren’t in PR, you would: I would be involved in a worthwhile venture in which I could add value.
Desired legacy: I helped others accomplish their goals.
Why did you originally join PRSA: I joined PRSA for the professional development programs and networking with other professionals.
Finally, tell us about your hometown and what makes it cool: Fort Worth is attractive, authentic, comfortable, casual and dynamic; it has amenities for all ages. The city’s business, governmental and community leaders collaborate to help enhance the quality of life for all of us.
