Bill Fox, Holy Cross class of 1999, exemplifies the versatility of a liberal arts education. With a career spanning military service, consulting, and now business operations at Amazon Web Services (AWS), Bill’s journey is a testament to the value of broad-based learning, leadership through service, and the power of continuous growth.
During his time on the Hill, Bill majored in political science, driven by an interest in government, international affairs, and the military. Growing up during the tail end of the Cold War, he was fascinated by the evolving global landscape and America’s role as the dominant superpower. His goal was clear: to become a Navy officer. Political science provided the perfect foundation, helping him develop a deep understanding of geopolitics and preparing him for a leadership role in the armed forces.
Upon graduating, Bill was commissioned into the U.S. Navy through Holy Cross’s NROTC program. Over the next six years, he served the nation as a Surface Warfare Officer, completing three deployments. His first, in 2000, was marked by the tragic USS Cole bombing, a terrorist attack that, for Bill and his fellow officers, was a chilling precursor to the attacks on 9/11. His later deployments were defined by the early days of the War on Terror, launching airstrikes over Afghanistan and later contributing to operations in Iraq. His leadership, shaped by both his liberal arts education and military experiences, was forged in these high-stakes environments.
Leaving the Navy was not an easy decision. Bill was passionate about his service and deeply valued his work in the intelligence community. However, he ultimately chose to transition into the private sector, leveraging his military background and expertise in intelligence. Through networking, especially with fellow Holy Cross alumni, Bill found opportunities in consulting, joining IBM as a senior consultant and later Booz Allen Hamilton as a management consultant.
Bill credits his success in the corporate world to three key leadership traits he honed in at Holy Cross and in the Navy:
- Listening: In both the military and business, he stresses the importance of truly hearing what people are saying, whether they report to you or you report to them. Listening enables better decision-making and stronger collaboration.
- Clear Communication: Effective leaders need to convey their messages clearly and concisely, whether speaking to a small team or delivering insights to high-level executives.
- Curiosity and Discipline: Bill believes his liberal arts education, combined with the Jesuit tradition of asking thoughtful questions, helped him become a greater thinker. The ability to seek out knowledge and explain complex concepts to others has been invaluable throughout his career.
Today, Bill serves as a business operations professional at AWS, focusing on national security customers and the U.S. Department of Defense. His role is a blend of finance, strategy, and customer engagement. On any given day, he might be forecasting revenue trends, meeting with sales teams to discuss challenges and wins, or presenting updates to company leadership, including reports that reach AWS’s CEO. The fast-paced, ever-evolving environment requires adaptability and problem-solving skills, traits Bill mastered during his time in the Navy.
Bill views the current AI boom with cautious optimism. He sees it as a transformative tool but not one that will replace human ingenuity. At AWS, he has witnessed AI’s potential to streamline processes and enhance efficiency, but he emphasizes that human oversight and expertise remain essential. Bill believes that AI will ultimately reshape jobs rather than eliminate them, creating new opportunities for innovation.
Even with a demanding career, Bill remains committed to lifelong learning. He regularly reads historical and business news/literature. The Wall Street Journal is his daily go-to, keeping him informed about global markets and industry trends. For Bill, understanding the challenges and successes of those who came before him is both a source of inspiration and a tool for growth.
Bill’s journey from the Navy to AWS highlights the lasting value of a Holy Cross education. His advice to current students is clear: embrace the scope of your liberal arts experience. The ability to think critically, communicate effectively, and adapt to new challenges will serve you well, no matter your career path.
Bill is an admirable example of the Holy Cross and Jesuit principle, “Men and women for others,” and additionally the Ciocca Center’s motto of “Major in anything, succeed in Business.”
Written by C.J O’Brien