William Rowley
Chairman & Founder, Healthnetwork Foundation
President and owner of Mercury Plastics, Inc. in Middlefield, Ohio, Bill Rowley began his career in 1972 after graduating from Miami University, Ohio. At the time, Mercury Plastics was a family-owned and operated business and was operating at $1 million in annual sales and had 20 employees. Rowley took over as president of Mercury in 1980. In 1980-82, he was the youngest member to serve on the Board of Directors of the Society of Plastics Industry. In 1998, Bill bought out the family business and today is owner and CEO of Mercury Plastics. Under his guidance, he has seen his company’s productivity and profits increase exponentially. Today, Mercury Plastics has grown to over $35 million in annual sales and now employs 225 people. While at Mercury, Bill graduated from Harvard Business Schools Owner President Management (OPM) program and on June 1997 was named as the Northeast Ohio Entrepreneur of the Year.
In 1999, Mercury Plastics and Kent State University began a 50/50 partnership, NEO Beam Alliance Ltd., for the facility’s electron beam project. This unique partnership was the first time industry and education combined to build and then utilize an asset both for the production of product and the education of engineers. In April of 2004, Bill purchased another 25% from KSU and today Rowley owns 75% of the partnership. Rowley also serves as chairman of NEO Beam Alliance Ltd.
While owning and managing Mercury Plastics, Bill insisted that the company focus on innovation and invention. Mercury Plastics now has an impressive IP portfolio with many issued and pending patents plus potential future patents in development. Bill believes that patent law is one of the most important components of protecting a small business and assuring its continued success.
From 1982 until present, Bill has been involved with the Young Presidents’ Organization (YPO) representing over 17,000 presidents of major companies throughout the world. YPO and its graduate groups are considered the preeminent international business organization for the education and support of their members. Early in his tenure in YPO, Rowley conceived, invented then started and managed the Inventory of Skills Foundation (IOS). Today, IOS is known as Healthnetwork Foundation (HNW). HNW is a non-profit, confidential networking resource giving participants immediate access to their peers’ expertise and preferential access to the world’s top medical facilities. Initially a one-chapter program, it has since become its own separate foundation. HNW serves members of Chief Executives Organization (CEO) World Presidents’ Organization (WPO), Entrepreneurs’ Organization (EO), Legatus, and Vistage. Healthnetwork is one of these groups most highly valued programs.
Healthnetwork has not only helped members with their business and personal problems; it has also saved many of their lives. To many, it is considered the Organizations’ single most important service. Today, Healthnetwork is concentrating on just the healthcare portion of the program and is presently helping presidents with complex medical needs as a not for profit. Healthnetwork is closely aligned with the top five hospitals in the world. As such, when an “O” member calls and requests assistance with their medical issue, Healthnetwork immediately has access to its contacts within world-renowned hospitals. The timeliness of an HNW response to a member’s medical request is immediate which ranks this program second to none. Every month, Bill receives thank you notes from grateful members that rave about the program.
For his efforts, Rowley and the Cleveland Chapter were honored with YPO’s “Most Innovative Event” in a Chapter Education Program worldwide in 1992. This was followed in 1993 with awards for “Most Innovative Program, First Place North America Region Education Program" and "First Place Best Chapter Education Program” worldwide. Capping off an impressive career in YPO in 1999, Rowley received YPO’s highest honor - the Hickok Distinguished Service Award. For his dogged commitment to service, he joins the ranks of YPO’s most elite cadre that represent the best in the organization’s 50-year history. Bill continues his work as Healthnetwork's founder and chairman and as a member of both CEO and WPO.
In 2005, Rowley received the Steve D. Bullock Humanitarian Award at the 100th Anniversary Red Cross Ball of Cleveland.
Rowley serves on several Boards in the area including the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame and Museum, and Flashes of Hope. He was the co-chair with Mayor Frank Jackson for the 2009 Hall of Fame Inductions and was largely responsible for bringing the inductions back to Cleveland. Beginning in June of 2010, Bill has taken on the role of Chairman of the Board for the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame and Museum.
Bill is an avid hunter, fisherman (has won many trophies in competition events), a die-hard fitness nut and most recent golfer.
Bill resides in Chagrin Falls and has a second home in Ocean Reef, Key Largo, Florida. His daughter, Patricia Jo, is a schoolteacher, grandson Caiden is in the fifth grade, granddaughter Elizabeth is three, and Chase is one year old.