Entrepreneurial Expert, UF Alumnus and Board of Trustees Member Billy Watterson to Speak at Fridays at Findlay
Posted On March 1, 2017
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Fridays at Findlay will feature University of Findlay trustee, distinguished alumnus and successful business owner Billy Watterson ’96 at its next executive speaker breakfast.
Sponsored by State Bank, the March 17 event will begin at 7:30 a.m. in Winebrenner Theological Seminary’s TLB Auditorium.
Admission is $10 per person and $5 for students. To register, contact Gale Brim at brim@findlay.edu or 419-434-5674; or visit https://www.findlay.edu/offices/advancement/Fridays-at-Findlay
Watterson received a Bachelor of Science in Environmental Safety and Occupational Health Management. Now president and recycling innovations officer of g2 Revolution, LLC, he will share his presentation titled “The Joy and Apathy of an Entrepreneur.” His remarks will offer valuable insight on entrepreneurship and innovation.
Watterson’s business record speaks to his vast experience. In the past two decades he has founded 17 companies throughout the nation, 10 of which he currently owns and operates. He has guided these companies through startup, survival, turnaround and growth modes, and has led the way in several patents and process changes for recycling, which have promoted a greener environment.
The Algonquin, Illinois resident began his career at Sears, Roebuck and Co. in 1996 as an environmental specialist and quickly became manager of the company’s hazardous materials and safety unit. During his tenure, he created a groundbreaking, retail-oriented department of transportation and numerous environmental and safety programs for thousands of employees nationwide.
His experience at Sears, coupled with his degree in environmental and hazardous materials management from UF, prepared him for the development of the nationwide environmental consulting firm Watterson Environmental Group, which he co-founded in 2001.
In 2008 Watterson founded g2 revolution® LLC as a result of a client’s desire to uniformly recycle within its stores without using waste companies. Recycling innovations, along with the “Feed the Future” program that supplies food to local pantries, have resulted.
Watterson also is passionate about mentoring and volunteering, and is an active UF alumnus. As a 2016 Commencement speaker, he quoted Ralph Waldo Emerson’s “purpose of life” ethos about usefulness, honor and compassion, and encouraged graduates to serve others. He spoke at the 2012 Symposium for Scholarship and Creativity, and in 2013 established a scholarship fund for students interested in entrepreneurship. In 2014 he received the University’s Distinguished Alumni Award. In fall 2016 he was named to the University of Findlay Board of Trustees.