Intro for The Daniel Center 2nd Annual Gala

I had the opportunity to introduce Bill Spruill yesterday for his keynote address to the second annual Daniel Center gala.  Bill has told me for years I need to be more active on LinkedIn (which doesn’t come naturally to me), so seemed fitting to share my remarks below…

·      When Bill asked me to give his introduction, he told me I could say whatever I want to, so buckle up!

·      My name is Matt Cox, and I first met Bill in the fall of 2017, and after being ‘sucked into his orbit’ I joined his team at Global Data Consortium, where I worked with him for about three and a half years as we grew the company.  Through this experience, I got an insider glimpse into who Bill is beyond what you might read in the Business Journals. 

·      First, Bill is a true self-made man, but very much views himself as part of a larger community and views himself as having larger purpose that involves helping others.  I think the term ‘self-made man’ is an overused cliché, but in Bill’s case, it’s true.  Bill was born an orphan; his adopted Dad was killed in Vietnam, and he grew up black and gay in rural North Carolina.  He went on to eventually sell his company for $300M.  That is self-made! 

·      After selling his company in the summer of 2022, he had every right to go sit on a beach somewhere and enjoy the fruits of his labor.  But, instead of this path, he chose instead to double-down on positively impacting the communities that he’s a part of by starting his foundation.

·      2nd Foundation’s mission “is to drive the inclusive growth of the Triangle technology ecosystem to a point of national dominance by the year 2033.” 

·      This brings me to my second point about Bill, he thinks and views the world differently than the average person.  Bill “lives the future”.  What I mean by that is he has an amazing ability to visualize where he wants to get to, what that ‘new world’ will look like once he’s there, then take strategic, deliberate, and sustained action over a long period of time, backed by a deep confidence that he will get there.  In his mind, the most ambitious goals weren’t just possible to reach, they were “a done deal”.  It’s hard to describe, but he behaves in the present moment as if that future’s arrival is a pre-destined surety in his mind.

·      I believe part of the way he’s always been able to ‘think differently’ is his genuine love for learning.  Bill reads non-stop, and I mean that almost literally.  The Wall Street Journal; business books; and of course his favorite, science fiction.  Sometimes I think Bill views himself as a character (possibly multiple characters) of his favorite sci-fi classics.  Even the name of his new venture, 2nd Foundation, comes from a science fiction book written by Isaac Asimov in the 1950s.  I believe this love for learning and his intentional exposure to different topics, people, books, geographies, and cultures is integral not just to what he can accomplish, but who he is.

·      Lastly, Bill is all about people.  His greatest ‘possession’ is his network – of friends, of past, present (and future) business colleagues, of entrepreneurs he’s invested in and/or coaching.  I remember in our very first conversation, Bill described himself as a “collector of people”.  To me, everything about Bill ties into his relationships with others.  He learns from his network through genuine and interesting conversations.  He is a mentor to many, and wants to help others see the world as he does – one in which anything is possible through education, dedication, persistence, and grit.

·      Admittedly, I don’t know that much about The Daniel Center for Math and Science other than the fact that Bill believes in it and supports it (which frankly is enough for me), but from what I do know about it, I believe there are some parallels between my experience with Bill and the role he likely plays for The Daniel Center and perhaps for some of its students.  To that end, I’ll conclude by reading a couple of excerpts from a letter I wrote to Bill in January of 2023, about six months after GDC had sold. 

The subject is “Gratitude for you and the journey.”

Bill, I want to thank you.  I’m not sure that you fully realize the extent of the positive impact that you and the Global Data Consortium experience have had on me and by extension, my family.

This experience has shown me at a deep level that things can “go right” and that endeavors can work out against the odds. 

I’ve come to realize that I was raised in an environment ruled by fear, anxiety, and self-criticism and until recently did not fully appreciate the impact that still has on my perspective.  You and GDC acted as a catalyst to help me recognize and begin to change that world view.

I want you to know how highly I think of you.  You are truly one of the people I most respect in this world.  As I’ve told you before, I view Bill Spruill as the ultimate survivor – how many people who were born into your circumstances could have turned out the way you have, and accomplished what most other people (even from the best circumstances) haven’t?  It truly is remarkable.

Alright, without wanting to further enlarge your ego, I’ll end my praise there.  But seriously, thank you and I love you.   

Best,

Matty