WaterCooler, Inc.

Who is Bill Hamlin?

Bill is an avid student and practitioner of business.  A transplanted Canadian, he's been "oot and aboot" in the Rochester business community for twelve years, sharing his knowledge, experience and deep understanding of the area business climate, issues and opportunities.  

Bill functions as a coach, mentor and consultant to small and medium-sized businesses in central and western New York. Much of his time is spent growing and nurturing executive "think tanks" for people who run businesses: owners, company presidents, and CEOs. His focus is on enhancing executive development skills and results.

An outgrowth of his career in executive management, WaterCooler Inc. constantly reinforces Bill's view that the Finger Lakes area offers a business climate where progressive leaders can grow and thrive.  Having founded and managed a regional small business, Career Strategies, Bill employed seven New Yorkers and helped hundreds of others to make successful career transitions during the economic downturn.  This immersion in regional business conditions  informs his approach to the issues and opportunities his clients face daily. 

Bill created a supportive community among his career-tranisition clients in both Rochester and Syracuse.  He partnered with leaders across the business and non-profit spectrum while fund-raising for Rotary, Habitat for Humanity and the American Cancer Society.  When approached by Vistage in 2005, Bill knew that joining the regional team of Vistage chairs would open a productive, new outlet for his passion for creating connections, relationships and results.

Currently,  Bill has Vistage Peer-to-Peer Advisory Groups at the CEO and Key Executive levels in both Rochester and Syracuse.  These groups comprise two dozen companies, responsible for 1500 workers in the upstate.  He also consults with various companies on both strategic and tactical initiatives that foster personal and professional growth.  

Previously, Bill was President for HBF, a $25MM, industry-leading manufacturing company in North Carolina, and a division of Furniture Brands International. He and his team outperformed industry profit levels by 7-10% as they grew the company from $10MM to $25M from the mid-80s through the mid-90s, based, in part, on his forsight about the role and necessity of globalization within the industry.

Born in Ottawa, Canada, Bill received his undergraduate and graduate MBA from Queens University.  He enjoys golf, road biking, Tae Kwon Do and Tai Chi, and working out at the 'Y'.  Bill and his wife, Danae, have made Canandaigua their home since moving here from NC in 1999.  They have two daughters, both living in Wilmington, NC, and an exceptional grandchild.