Bill Bolton, B.S.'68

Food and Consumer Package Goods Outstanding Alumni Award

Retired food-industry executive Bill Bolton earned his Bachelor of Science degree from Western Michigan University in 1968. Bolton was the Jewel Food Stores-sponsored student in what is now WMU's Food & Consumer Package Goods Marketing Program. Following graduation, he completed a store management program with Jewel Foods and was assigned to the new general merchandise department.

Bolton's career progressed through key positions in the bakery, deli, grocery, merchandising and marketing departments before he was appointed president of Jewel Food Stores and Chicagoland Osco Drug Stores. Subsequently, he was promoted to chief operating officer, markets, for American Stores, the parent company of Jewel Foods. His primary responsibility was for the development and return on investment of a $1 billion capital budget.

Bolton left American Foods to become chairman and chief operating officer of Bruno's Supermarkets. He is the founder and principal of the Taranis Management Group, LLC, a consulting company working with private equity firms focused on retail, restaurant and consumer goods companies. Bolton consults individually and in affiliation with Leo Shapiro and Associates for such clients as McDonald's and Circuit City. Additionally, he is a member of the boards of directors of the Bemis Co., the Ace Hardware Corp., Premier Golf and Awrey Bakery. His previous board appointments have included service as chairman of both the Greater Chicago Food Depository and the LaGrange, Illinois, Police and Fire Commission.