Dr. Bill McConkey

The Smith County Chamber of Commerce would like to welcome one of its newest members, Dr. Bill McConkey. Bill McConkey is a retired educator, and still a corporate trainer. public speaker/humorist and political consultant.
Bill McConkey taught graduate and undergraduate courses in leadership, organizational communication and interpersonal communication, and American Government and Politics. Dr. McConkey received his BS and MS degrees in the Social Sciences from Illinois State University in 1964 and 1965. He received his Ph.D. in Mass Communication from Florida State University in 1994, at the age of 52.
He has worked for several government agencies, including the OMB within Executive Office of the President of the United States, and the U.S. Department of Commerce, and for the Governors of Illinois and Alaska. He worked primarily in military and economic and energy development programs.
Bill McConkey also understands the private sector, having worked as a line cook, farm laborer, janitor, groundskeeper, cashier, commercial fisherman, sports promoter, as the owner and manager of an advertising agency, owner/manager of a research and communication firm, trainer and mentor for international university students working the United States and stocking produce at the Carthage, Walmart.
Bill McConkey is married and has 7 daughters and stepdaughters and 8 grandchildren. He and his wife, Sandy, share their home on Friendship Hollow Road in Defeated, with their Schipperkes. His favorite things to do are cooking, public speaking, working on the farm, hunting, fishing, and writing.