StaffBill Gillis
Extension Specialist, Rural Economic Development
email: bgillis [at] wsu.edu
phone: +01 (509) 358-7873
William Gillis (Bill) is the founder and past Director of the Center to Bridge the Digital Divide (CBDD) at Washington State University. Bill started the Center in 2001 with a core belief that the broadest possible assess to modern information technologies is an empowering force to advance social justice, global economic prosperity and a greater connection among diverse cultures so needed in a world in current turmoil.
An economist, his current interests include the development of public policy and broader strategies to more fully engage ordinary people in the proactive utilization of modern web-based technologies to better their lives.
Throughout his career, Bill's work has been accomplished through assembling and leading diverse collaborative multi-disciplinary work-teams. As past Director of the CBDD, he emphasized innovation in the use of web-based and information technologies to support dispersed work, project collaboration and efficiencies in public management practices.
Bill served as a member of the Washington State Utility and Transportation Commission from 1994 through 2000. He has worked extensively in the development of national telecommunications and information policy including leadership roles as chair of the FCC Rural Task Force on Universal Service and Chair of the National Association of Regulatory Utility Commissioners Committee on Consumer Affairs.
He obtained a BA and MS degree in Agricultural Economics from Washington State University (1973-1979) and a Ph.D degree in the same field from the University of Wisconsin (1979-1983).
Bill is available for public speaking and consulting engagements. For further information contact him at bgillis [at] wsu.edu.