William J. Holstein
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Award-winning editor, author and journalist, Bill has spent 30 years specializing in global business issues that affect chief executive officers and boards of directors. Areas of interest include innovation, competitiveness and governance. His books have been published in Japanese, Chinese, Portugese and Danish.
CURRENT ACTIVITIES:
Contributing to Strategy & Business and Agenda, a magazine published by KPMG. (http://www.kpmg.com/agendaonline)
Authoring stories for Chief Executive magazine.
Working on a new book currently entitled, “The Next American Economy.”
I also undertake assignments to write white papers and engage in strategic communications for select clients.
BOOKS:
My book, “Why GM Matters: Inside the Race to Transform an American Icon,” was published on Feb. 3, 2009. It was published by Walker & Co., an independent publisher.
Book for Harvard Business School Press, Memo to the CEO: Manage the Media (Don’t Let the Media Manage You), appeared in April 2008.
In 2002, wrote a history of the Cintas Corporation, with Chairman Richard T. Farmer, entitled Rags to Riches. Published privately.
The Japanese Power Game, was published in September 1990 by Charles Scribners’ Sons and in paperback by NAL/Dutton. It was widely praised critically.
SPEAKING:
Most recent appearances—
April 22, 2010
Dinner Chairman
Overseas Press Club Annual Awards Dinner
Mandarin Oriental Hotel
New York
PREVIOUS POSITIONS:
Editor in Chief of Directorship magazine (May 2006-March 2007)
This magazine was aimed at boards of directors, senior managers who engage with boards, and lawyers, accountants, search firms, consultants and other specialists who work for boards.
Editor in Chief of Chief Executive magazine (January 2003-April 2006)
Completely redesigned this magazine and won Folio’s 2005 Eddie Gold Award for best business-to-business magazine in the category and the Ozzie Gold Award for best cover design.
Independent (July 2001-January 2003)
Contributor to Fortune, The New York Times, Business 2.0, Chief Executive, Corporate Board Member and Politique Internationale. Wrote major articles for Business 2.0 on such subjects as IBM’s research labs, General Motor’s OnStar division, and Corning’s efforts to recover from the fiber optic collapse. Concentrated primarily on Asian subjects for Fortune, with stories on Samsung Electronics and Canon. Interviewed former Federal Reserve Chairman Paul Volcker for Politique Internationale.
Editor at Large, Business 2.0 (February-July 2001)
Had major writing responsibilities and produced stories on Corning, DaimlerChrysler, Ford Motor, IBM, and Porsche.
Senior Writer, U.S. News & World Report (October 1996-February 2001)
Wrote major stories pertaining to business, economics and technology in a global context. Cover stories included “SWEATSHOP CHRISTMAS,” “THE AMAZING ECONOMY,” “THE INTERNET STOCK BUBBLE,” “WIRELESS WONDERS,” “COOL CARS,” and “RUNWAY RAGE.” CEOs interviewed included Chrysler’s Robert Eaton, Corning’s Roger Ackerman, DaimlerChrysler’s Jurgen Schrempp, Ford’s Jacques Nasser, Intel’s Andy Grove, Coca Cola’s Roberto Goizueta, and Kodak’s George Fisher.
World Editor, BusinessWeek (April 1985-October 1996)
Held a series of positions in the International Department, culminating in becoming World Editor, with responsibility for managing major cover stories for both the domestic and international editions. Cover stories included: “JAPAN’S NEW IDENTITY,” “CHINA: The Making of an Economic Giant,” “MIGHTY MITSUBISHI,” “JAPAN: Remaking a Nation” (winner of the Overseas Press Club award for best magazine article on foreign affairs), “MADE IN THE U.S.A.,” “HOT SPOTS,” and “THE STATELESS CORPORATION.”
Director, Corporate Writing, American Express (April 1983-April 1985)
Wrote speeches for top executives, including Chairman James D. Robinson III and President Sandy Weill, as well as annual reports and other publications.
Correspondent and editor, United Press International (September 1973-April 1983)
After three years in Lansing, Michigan, and three years in New York on the Cables Desk, was transferred to Hong Kong as Deputy Asian Editor in 1979. Managed a 24-hour Asian news desk with 14 staffers in Hong Kong and bureaus throughout the region. Also covered major news stories, including the Soviet invasion of Afghanistan. Was declared persona non grata and placed under house arrest by Soviets in Kabul; deported to India. Other stories included 1979 Tokyo Economic Summit, the Vietnamese boat people exodus, the OPEC meeting in Bali, and the Moslem insurrection in the southern Philippines. Won the Overseas Press Club award in 1980 for best overseas economic reporting—based on stories about traveling in southern China and about China’s economic modernization drive.
BOARDS:
President, Overseas Press Club of America, June 1994-July 1996. (http://www.opcofamerica.org) Lifetime board member.
President of the OPC Foundation, which awards scholarships to aspiring foreign correspondents. (http://www.overseaspressclubfoundation.org) Current endowment is approximately $650,000. This position requires managing a board of directors and an executive director as well as supervising the management of funds at Merrill Lynch and organizing an annual luncheon.
Also treasurer of the Correspondents Fund. (http://www.correspondentsfund.org).
EDUCATION:
National Merit Scholar. Graduated with honors from Michigan State University with degree in European intellectual history. Completed studies at a summer program at Oxford University (Exeter College.)
Contact: 914-400-5596