Bill Adkins was born in Chicago, Illinois. His parents migrated from Decatur, Alabama in search of job opportunities in the North.

  He attended public school in Chicago. He was involved in many sport activities such as baseball, swimming and basketball. He spent many hours in the Chicago Boys Club after school programs. It was during these activities that his interpersonal skills were developed It gave him an understanding of the importance of team work in accomplishing goals.

  He excelled in math and business courses in school. His original plans were to study engineering or accounting in college. However, his interpersonal skills and desire to interact with people, led him to the marketing field.

  After attending Business College and the University of Maryland, he started a career in banking prior to entering the automotive industry. His career started with General Motors Corporation in the finance division, General Motors Acceptance Corporation. He was promoted to the Pontiac Motors where he worked as a service and part and sales manager. He worked directly with franchise owners.

  It was after these assignments that he decided to become an entrepreneur. In 1985, he purchased his first dealership in Fostoria, Ohio and became a successful owner of Adkins Chevrolet Buick Oldsmobile. In 1989, he sold this dealership and formed Adkins and Associates. The primary function of this business was to consult with automobile dealership owners on how to turn their business around, generate more profit and improve customer satisfaction. He did this through training of personnel within the dealership who had customer contact and supervision responsibility.

  His success within the industry lead to several other dealership opportunities, and some major consulting contracts with Ford Motor Company, General Motor Corporation, Volkswagen of America, and The National Automobile Dealer Association.

  In 1994, executives at General Motors asked him to purchase the assets of Palanker Chevrolet in West Babylon, New York. After purchasing the business, he moved his wife and daughter to Long Island.

  His success has continued as he gives back to the community. He is on the board at Suffolk County Community College, Harbor Country Day School, General Motors Minority Dealers Association, Greater New York Dealers Association and Long Island United Way. He is a life time member of NAACP. He serves in the Principal for Day Program. He is an active supporter of the United Negro College Fund. He is a Board of

  Trustee for the Long Island Aquarium. He received the Suffolk County Martin Luther King, Jr., Commission Public Service Award, the Ellis Island Medals of Honor Award in the 1998, and Times Quality Dealer Award 1998.

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