Every morning the unmistakable swishing sound of Bill’s DirectEmployers rain jacket was rivaled only by his infectious chuckle. He would ask us about our lives, families and beam about his grandchildren. Employees would frequently catch Bill sneaking a sweet treat from one of the many candy dishes throughout the office, to which he would respond with a mischievous grin as he ventured on to his next meeting or conference call.
He’d often pop into a meeting, enthusiastically sharing a project idea, or providing an update about his most recent charitable endeavor. He was a person who never met a stranger, loved his company, and relished in the moments spent with his family. So how in the world do you honor and pay respect in a way that does justice for someone like Bill?
All smiles, Bill Warren (left) presents Rich Hobbie, NASWA’s former Executive Director, with the 2014 WOW Award at DirectEmployers Annual Meeting & Conference.
Bill Warren had many admirable traits–generous, brilliant, entrepreneurial, kind, and much more. He was an Army veteran and a career HR professional who dedicated himself to transforming the recruitment profession. This dedication eventually led to his nickname as the “Father of Online Recruitment.” Light years ahead of his time, Bill created the first online job board, Online Career Center, that would later become Monster.com. From there, he set off to launch WOWEmployers, which later transitioned to today’s DirectEmployers Association. What started as a small group of 14 member companies and a handful of employees, would eventually grow to encompass hundreds of members and over 50 employees.
Despite the multiple accolades, plaques, awards and recognition certificates that he accumulated over the years, I would argue that Bill’s proudest accomplishment was his family. It was photos of them that he displayed most prominently throughout his office, and got prime real estate on his desk.
Bill Warren (center) reaffirms commitment to the National Guard & Reserve through the ESGR in 2015.
Outside of the office, Bill’s generosity provided many local community organizations with additional support and resources. Sponsorships, school supplies and volunteers to serve Thanksgiving dinner to those less fortunate are just a few of the many examples.
We don’t get to hear Bill’s jacket in the halls anymore, or see his prized Volkswagen Beetle in the parking lot. Honestly, he leaves a void that may never be filled. But maybe we can find solace in knowing that Bill’s influence is ever present in the organization he so vigorously pursued, and resonates with so many of us who strive to honor his legacy.
His hard work, innovative mind, perseverance, and transformational contributions made him a true icon in the HR technology world, however his love for family, friends, and giving back to the community is what made him a truly exceptional man. These are just a few testaments to Bill’s character:
“I have several great memories of Bill, but this one is one of my favorites. Bill was a diehard Indiana University fan, as am I, and there is an employee in our office who is an equal diehard fan of The Ohio State University. (That even kills me to put the word “The” in front of the name of the school, and I’m sure Bill would agree)! Anyway, this employee came to work on a Friday, our “dress casual” day, and he was wearing a quarter-zip shirt with an OSU logo on the chest. I told him he wasn’t dressed appropriately for work and would have to go home to change. Bill happened to walk down past our offices right at that moment and I told him what I had just said to one of the employees in my group and asked if he agreed. Bill, without missing a beat, said, “I most certainly do…you need to go home and change, Shannon!” I absolutely loved Bill’s sense of humor!”– Candee Chambers, Executive Director, DirectEmployers Association
“Bill and I first worked together in 1997 at Online Career Center. It was there I learned that Bill was the main influence in the internet recruiting movement. While Bill was a great husband, father, brother, uncle, and grandfather, he was also an exceptional businessman. My son was with me one day at the office, and Bill came and introduced himself, and the two of them ended up having a great conversation. After Bill walked out, I told my son it is not very often you get to meet a person who changes how an industry works and see it grow into a multibillion-dollar industry. Thank you, Bill. You will always be in my thoughts and prayers.” – Tom Eckhart, VP of Membership Development, DirectEmployers Association
“Bill was always generous both professionally and personally. When I got married, he was able to help secure the Country Club of Indianapolis as my wedding venue thanks to his membership and even paid for the food for our guests. His contribution and support has truly made it a memory I cherish.” – Hal Cooper, VP of Product Development, DirectEmployers Association
“It is so very difficult to put into words the impact that Bill Warren has had on my life but I’m going to make an attempt. I was a young mother and wife and was about 10 years into my career when I met Bill Warren. For over 10 years I was blessed to work very closely with Bill on his leadership team and I learned an extraordinary amount from him. I often say I earned the equivalent of a Harvard Degree in that time period. I learned characteristics of how to lead with integrity allowing for mistakes and recognizing the whole person.
Perhaps the best lesson I learned from Bill was the importance of giving back. He had much success throughout his career however, he always remembered his humble roots. He continued to seek opportunities to help those less fortunate than him. I witnessed and was the benefactor of so many of his philanthropic acts. One of the most powerful memories of his big heart was when he heard about a local kid who went into the marines whose family was not able to pay for the trip out to watch him graduate from basic training in San Diego, CA. Without Bill even knowing the kid or his family, he paid for their plane tickets and gave them gift cards to cover expenses while they were there. When I asked Bill why he would give so generously to someone he doesn’t even know he would say, “If we can, then we should!” This is one example of the advice and wisdom from Bill that guides my life decisions to this day.” – Nancy Holland, Executive Director, DE Serves
All smiles, Bill and Susan Warren suit up for the Richard Petty Driving Experience at DEAM11 in Indianapolis, IN.
“Bill first and foremost was a best friend to his wife Susan and an all-around awesome family man. He was such an inspiration to those around him. He was an incredibly warmhearted man with a brilliant mind for business, and it’s because of these factors that he was able to make such a significant impact on so many lives. It’s hard to quantify just how many people were truly touched by his kindness. Bill was a fantastic person, and like many others, I am thankful I had the opportunity to know him. I genuinely expect the positive impact he had on others to continue to shine.” – Heather Hoffman, COO, Recruit Rooster
Chuck Palahniuk commented, “We all die. The goal isn’t to live forever, the goal is to create something that will.” Thankfully for us, Bill did just that and so much more. Rest in peace, Old Homey.
My first memory of Bill was the first day I arrived at work at OCC – I sort of knew what the internet was in 1998…..Over the office speaker system at 8AM came the music of Satchmo, (Louis Armstrong), What a Wonderful World. This brought a huge smile to me and a warm feeling that I had found my work home. I would tell people what a wonderful company and people I work for. Bill (and his wife Susan) are warm and genuine human beings.
I met Bill when I started at OCC and he became the gold standard for me of what a boss should be. I had never met a president of a company who was so accessible, so warm, and so genuinely interested in every person who worked for him. Bill was the kind of boss you just wanted to work hard for. The opportunity he gave me at OCC completely changed the trajectory of my professional life in a better direction. I am so grateful to have known Bill, his wonderful family, and all the people I worked with during my time at OCC.
I had the absolute pleasure of being Bill and Susan’s first employee at OCC. Gina Esposito and Patti Rabiola soon followed. The experience was a treasure! We were in on something groundbreaking!
Bill had a heart of gold. (Susan, too!).
We learned something new everyday. Bill allowed me to grow with the company… We were educating people on what a dot was (period), what a forward slash was ( the slash facing right).
Bill and Susan soon trusted Gina and I to run OCC while they took a much needed vacation! Gina went across the street to Blimpie, which was located at the gas station next to their house.. to grab us lunch. We had 3 phone lines at the time. When Gina came back, I told her I had 4 calls at once even though we only had 3 lines… it was true! Business started booming! Bill was always ahead of the game! The true Father of Online Recruitment.
But he was WAY more than that! Such a thoughtful human being.., he loved his family dearly.
He was a family friend of ours for a VERY long time!
I’m so appreciative to him. There aren’t words to explain what Bill did for everyone, including individuals he didn’t even know! I don’t think that anyone will ever know all that he did. (Maybe Susan).
Bill will be remembered as a great man… and one that put others first!
I’m forever thankful for my 17 years of experience working for him.
Gone; but never forgotten! RIH.
I first met Bill about 20 years ago when university career services was struggling to avoid having one vendor gaining a monopoly on CSM platform service delivery. We were desperate to have an alternative, especially for large universities with complex, high volume employer recruitment programs. When Bill learned of our concern, he stepped up, committed DirectEmployers and his lead programmer Hal Cooper to developing that alternative, and did so in a historic fashion creating an alternative not-for-profit service in partnership with our national professional association. That commitment served as a critically important bridge to today’s environment that once again offers service provider options to universities and to the companies that employ university students and graduates.
Throughout this process and in the years that followed, Bill’s quiet and strong leadership, and his genuine concern for college students’ smooth transition from campus to career, clearly made a difference in thousands of students’ lives as well as our own.
For me personally, words won’t do justice to the impact Bill had on my life as well as my work. Given the type of person he was, it was an easy transition from engaging Bill as a service provider, to our becoming friends. My wife Sally and I have treasured our times spent with Bill and Susan in recent years and we look forward to continuing that friendship connection with Susan. I considered Bill a friend, a confidant and a mentor. My experience with Bill will have an impact on me for the rest of my life.