Bill Courtney

William B Courtney (Bill), a native Memphian, founded Classic American Hardwoods, Inc. in 2001. Today, it employs 120 people with a 45 acre manufacturing facility and domestic sales offices in Memphis, TN and international sales offices in Shanghai, China and Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam. In 2007, Classic American Hardwoods, Inc. won the Memphis Business Journal's Small Business of the Year Award based on its growth and commitment to community service.In 2003, Bill began volunteering at Memphis' inner city Manassas High School in an effort to turn its under-performing football team around. In 2003, the team had 19 players with a dismal 4-95, 10-year record. In the 2008 & 2009 seasons, the team's record improved to 18-2, with 75 players. The story was so compelling that a Hollywood film--Undefeated--was produced about it that won the 2012 Academy Award for Best Feature Length Documentary.In 2011, Bill was inducted into Bridge Builders for leadership in diversity, community, and justice. He was the 2012 recipient of the Liberty Bowl's Harry Zinn Spirit of 1776 award for distinguished citizenship, recipient of the Carnival Memphis' King's award for outstanding achievement in Business and Industry, and the National Football Foundation and College Hall of fame Memphis chapter's award winner for The distinguished American for Contribution to Amateur Athletics. In 2013, he was inducted into the prestigious Society of Entrepreneurs as a result of his success in business and community service.Today, Bill still operates as the President and CEO of Classic American Hardwoods. He's a public speaker at a variety of venues from the Para Olympics in Colorado Springs to Nike, PepsiCo, FedEx, and other nationally recognized companies to churches, schools, and hospitals, and has written his first book Against the Grain to be released in May of 2014. Courtney lives with his wife and four children in Memphis, Tennessee. Hide

Honestly, I tell everybody this, the exact same fundamentals that you use to build a football team a Show more Honestly, I tell everybody this, the exact same fundamentals that you use to build a football team are the very same things that enable you to have success in business: Act with character and integrity; Out-work the competition; Understand that sometimes you are going to get knocked down and just get back up; It's not whether or not you make mistakes - you will - it's how you handle them; Surround yourself with like-minded, hard-working people. Experience doesn't matter. Character and hard work matters; Treat people well. Give them the help, tools and training that they need. Then get out of their way and let them grow. Hide

The true measure of a person's character is how one handles one's failures, not successes. The true measure of a person's character is how one handles one's failures, not successes.

As cruel as life might be at times, if you throw in the towel, which is what everyone will expect, t Show more As cruel as life might be at times, if you throw in the towel, which is what everyone will expect, then nothing good will happen and your life will fall apart. Be better than that! Hide

Coaching doesn't start with X's and O's. It starts with believing that players win games and coaches Show more Coaching doesn't start with X's and O's. It starts with believing that players win games and coaches win players. Hide

It's when you screw up and life hits you in the mouth that you have an opportunity to reveal your in Show more It's when you screw up and life hits you in the mouth that you have an opportunity to reveal your inner strength. Hide

You can't be a successful leader or mentor until you have served. You can't serve until you have ste Show more You can't be a successful leader or mentor until you have served. You can't serve until you have stepped out of your comfort zone. And you can't step out of your comfort zone unless you have character and keep your word. Hide

Bill Courtney's FILMOGRAPHY

as Actor (3)

Undefeated

The Kelly Clarkson Show - Season 5

The Kelly Clarkson Show - Season 6