Bill Morgenstern

Bill Morgenstern "has a remarkable track record of accomplishments as an entrepreneur, senior executive and servant leader. Bill and his team grew their rental purchase company, Rent-Way, from a single retail store in 1981 to a public company with 800 locations and nearly $600 million in annual revenue before selling the company in 2006.

"As CEO, Bill directed several capital campaigns, including the company’s initial IPO in 1993 and several rounds of traditional bank financing. As the business grew, he empowered each of his nearly 4,000 employees to be leaders and change agents in the organization, fostering a culture of dignity and respect. Bill was recognized with the Ernst &Young "Entrepreneur of the Year" award in 1996.

"Recognized for his openness, integrity and compassion, Bill has served on several nonprofit boards in his community including the Juvenile Diabetes Foundation, Habitat for Humanity, and as chairman of the Hamot Health Foundation. Through the church he attended in Erie, Pa., Bill has made repeated trips to Haiti to care for those suffering from poverty and disease.

"Bill studied law enforcement and criminal justice at Youngstown State University and completed coursework in business management and leadership through the American Management Association and Notre Dame’s Executive Development Program. He and his wife, Shelley, have three grown children, Jackie, Chas and Dan. "


 * CEO, Opportunity International