Each spring, Marquette University
sets aside one special weekend to honor distinguished alumni from every college
and school who represent the heart, soul and spirit of Marquette. Hundreds of
alumni and guests come to campus for a series of celebrations regaling our
Alumni National Award recipients — a chance to hear their stories and how they
are making a difference in the lives of others.
On Friday, April 27, the College
of Business Administration and Graduate School of Management held its annual
Alumni Awards Reception and Luncheon at the Alumni Memorial Union. There were
six award winners, including William Stone (BUS AD '77), who was the 2012 recipient
of the COBA Entrepreneurial Award.
Following the luncheon and a visit
with Marquette President Father Pilarz, Mr. Stone visited Dr. David Krause and
the AIM students. He attended the equity presentations in the AIM Room where he
heard three stock pitches from students in the Class of 2013.
Bill Stone founded SS&C Technologies (ticker: SSNC) in 1986
and has since led the company through the acquisition of 33 software firms.
Today, SS&C employs more than 1,500 people in Asia, Australia, Europe and
North America. The firm is headquartered in Windsor, Connecticut.
SS&C is a leader in the delivery of investment and
financial management software and related services focused exclusively on the
global financial services industry. Founded in 1986, SS&C has its
headquarters in Windsor, Connecticut and offices around the world. 5,000
financial services organizations, from the world's largest to local financial
services organizations, manage and account for their investments using
SS&C's products and services. These clients in the aggregate manage over
$16 trillion in assets.
Bill’s favorite quote is from Abraham Lincoln which helped
defined his life: “Whatever you are, be a good one." Bill continued, “Running
a financial services software and services company provides an environment
where everything that happens in the world affects the company or our clients."
As the chief executive officer and chairman of the board of directors, Mr.
Stone elaborated "My work is intellectually stimulating and financially
rewarding.”
In 1996, SS&C raised capital in an Initial Public
Offering and was acquired by entities affiliated with the Carlyle Group in
2005. In 2010, the company again went public and now trades under the symbol
SSNC on NASDAQ. “My primary focus is to
position SS&C in a global environment,” Bill says. And though his eyes are
set on the global market, his heart holds the lessons his father taught him.
“My father taught me to have discipline, energy, brains and ability, he says.
“Because those were all traits he had in abundance.”
Bill has made a life of taking after his father. Today he
holds — or has held — National Association of Securities Dealers securities
series licenses 6, 7, 8 and 22. He was a New York Stock Exchange and Municipal
Securities Rulemaking Board principal and an associated person with the
Commodity Futures Trading Commission. Additionally, he has served on the boards
of the University of Connecticut School of Business and University of
Connecticut Foundation.
SS&C Technologies just achieved its 25th
anniversary since its 1986 founding. Listen to interviews with Bill
Stone.
In addition to seeking professional excellence, Bill is also
a philanthropist and supporter of the arts. His company operates SS&C
SummerWind, a performing arts amphitheater based in Windsor, Conn., for which
Bill is a major benefactor.
I’ve seen the trials and tribulations of contracting major
musical acts,” he says. “As well, I’ve watched the vagaries of fundraising and
experienced the joy of sitting in the prime seats on a beautiful Connecticut
evening to enjoy wonderful musicians.”
Fun facts about Bill:- Hometown: Evansville, Ind.
- Someone alive or dead he’d like to have dinner with: Ronald Reagan
- The Marquette faculty member who had an impact on Bill: Rev. Roland Teske, S.J.
- Favorite Marquette memory: “Being at the Omni in 1977 when Al McGuire walked out on the floor for the national championship game.”
- In grade school, Bill wanted to be a pro football player.
- Most influential person in Bill’s life: His father.
