Detroit entrepreneur, former trustee honored for legacy of leadership
Former Western trustee and entrepreneur, William F. Pickard, BS 鈥64, passed away on June 12, 2024, in West Palm Beach, Florida. The Board of Trustees, which he served from 2016-20, honored him with a resolution recognizing his strong advocacy for young people, diversity and the University. 鈥淗e understood the power of higher education and used his success to help others,鈥 the resolution stated.
Pickard鈥檚 entrepreneurial career spanned more than 50 years, beginning as one of the first Black franchise owners of a McDonald鈥檚 in 1971 in Detroit. In 1989, he founded the Global Automotive Alliance Manufacturing and Supply Chain Management, which has generated more than $5 billion in sales to date. He also served as a co-managing partner of MGM Grand Detroit Casino and co-owned five Black-owned newspapers.
Throughout his career, Pickard received numerous accolades, including WMU Distinguished Alumni Award in 1980; Detroit News Michiganian of the Year for mentoring new entrepreneurs and leading Global Automotive in 2001; Detroit Magazine鈥檚 Detroiter of the Year for his leadership and philanthropy in the arts, education and entrepreneurship in 2010; and Michigan Lifetime Humanitarian Award in 2019. 鈻