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Friday, 08 February 2008 |
Lydia Dishman
Contributing Writer
Upstate businessman Bill Wylie has made several careers out of turning companies around. Most recently as CEO of Goodwill Industries of the Upstate and Midlands, he helped raise revenue by $15 million in five years and increased the staff of 180 to 500.
He’s now setting his sights on running state government.
When he took the helm of Goodwill, the organization was bringing in $8 million in retail, but had a staff of 180 people that he says, “Were more than a little demoralized.”
Wylie implemented sweeping changes from the ground up, building benefits packages, retirement plans and incentive programs. When he retired in October, Goodwill Industries was no longer just a collection of thrift shops but a fiscally sound organization with a competitive discount retail arm, which had also served 9,000 people and placed 2,000 in permanent full time jobs.
Wylie announced his run Thursday for the District 21 state House seat against Republican incumbent Bob Leach who has held the position since 1997. The primary will be held on June 10.
“Ladies and gentlemen, it’s time for a change,” said Wylie, echoing a sentiment heard recently during presidential primary speeches.
Wylie plans to run on a platform based on his years as a retail and manufacturing executive. Work experience from McCrory and McClelland, through an era of big transitions at W.T. Grant, from Stone Manufacturing to Umbro International, is what Wylie thinks will give him the necessary edge to be an agent of change.
“For too long our state has suffered under an antiquated system of government and good ol’ boy politicians. We’re not a poor state, we’ve just had poor leadership,” said Wylie, explaining that a common sense business plan would eliminate the Budget and Control Board.
Wylie said no other state has such a board, making the cost of our government 130% of the national average with 18 % of South Carolinians’ income funding it.
Wylie’s other plans for improvement include education reforms such as higher teacher salaries, lower tuition costs for higher education and more charter schools. He again cited his business perspective saying the numbers just don’t make sense.
“We have too many school districts, and that top heavy structure takes money away from teachers. There are now 85 school districts in 46 counties. Twenty-five million dollars could be saved if we require each district to have 2,500 students,” Wylie said.
Economic development plans also were highlighted. Wylie would like South Carolina to attract more businesses such as BMW and Michelin.
“We need competitive business and personal tax rates. After all, your employees are going to be happier if they have more money in their pockets,” he said. “We have miles to go in getting our state off the bottom of too many good lists.”
Jack Stone, the retired CEO of Stone International who worked with Wylie for more than 25 years said, “Bill brings a global vision to a local level, he knows the opportunities and the challenges.”
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