Bill Scranton
While serving the people of Pennsylvania as Lieutenant Governor from 1979 to 1987, Bill Scranton became a strong proponent of the new economy brought about by advances in the knowledge, information and technology and their applications to Pennsylvania businesses.
That interest led to his appointment as Chair of the state’s Small Business Council, where his leadership in helping Pennsylvania transition to the new economy was lauded by Inc. Magazine. During this period, Bill also served as the Vice Chair of the Economic Development Committee for Pennsylvania Governor Richard Thornburgh’s Cabinet; Chaired the Governor’s Energy Council; and, Chaired the Pennsylvania Emergency Management agency spearheading the state’s response to the Three Mile Island Nuclear Accident.
After narrowly losing the 1986 Pennsylvania Gubernatorial election, Bill put his thoughts and theories about the new economy into practical application as an entrepreneur. This interest took him to California where the new economy was in its incubation stage.
Over an eight-year period, Bill had a direct hand in managing cutting edge businesses that broke old business models. He served as President and CEO of direct marketing firm Smith and Hawken (1987-1992), President of Fortunes Almanac (1992-1994), another direct marketing company, and a partner in the Worthington-Tuthill Company (1994-1995), which sought new ways to market products to consumers.
After eight years running businesses in California, Bill put his special skills as a new economy manager to work right here in Pennsylvania, managing the Scranton family businesses where he remains today. In addition, Bill serves on the Board of Directors for a number of Pennsylvania businesses including serving as Chairman of the Board of the Harleysville Group of Insurance Companies among others. He also was appointed in 1997 by Governor Ridge to serve on the 21st Century Environment Commission for his strength at finding new and innovative solutions to resolve the problems of today.
Over the years Bill has shared his experiences and thoughts on the new economy through a series of Northeast Pennsylvania talks. As an outgrowth to these events, he co-founded and currently co-chairs the Great Valley Technology Alliance, whose mission is the creation of a self-sustaining technology-based economy in Northeastern Pennsylvania.
Bringing his new economy management model to public interest organizations, Bill has taken a leading role in many civic initiatives both in the Scranton area and in Northeast Pennsylvania. Some of these initiatives include serving on the Board of several non-profit organizations such as the Allied Services Foundation (Past Chairman), the Northeast Regional Cancer Institute (Past Chairman), The Scranton Cultural Center (Past Chairman), the Willary Foundation (Chairman), and the Scranton Area Foundation.
Bill received his Bachelor of Arts degree from Yale University in New Haven, Connecticut. He resides in Scranton, Pennsylvania with his wife, Maryla. They have four children: Elizabeth (25), Julien (23), Caitlin (22), and Brook (21).