Bill Gove , 1912-2001, served as a corporate executive with Beechnut Manufacturing throughout the 1930's and later joined 3M Corporation in the 1940's. In 1954, the Sales and Marketing Executives of America named Bill Gove America's # 1 salesman. Mr. Gove's extraordinary success created a strong demand for him as a speaker at corporate meetings and conventions around the world.
Throughout the remainder of the 1950's, 60's, 70's and 90's, Bill Gove delivered over 5,000 paid speeches and traveled the equivalent of 22 times around the world. Mr. Gove spoke in places such as Carnegie Hall, Madison Square Garden, The Shrine Auditorium, Chicago's International Amphitheatre, Royal Albert Hall in London, and many others.
In 1972, Bill Gove was elected first President of the National Speakers Association, where he served two successful terms. In 1976, Mr. Gove was inducted into the International Speakers Hall of Fame, and in 1980, he received the Oscar of Public Speaking, the prestigious Cavett Award.
In 1991 Toastmasters International honored him with the Golden Gavel Award. Past recipients include Walter Cronkite, Dr. Joyce Brothers, and Deepak Chopra. Bill Gove influenced, taught, or mentored most of today's most successful presenters, and his influence can be felt throughout the profession. Due to his platform prowess and willingness to guide the leaders in the profession during the early years, Bill Gove was known around the world as the father of professional speaking.
On December 9, 2001, Mr. Gove died of heart failure at age 89. His last speech was delivered in Sanibel, Florida on September 25, 2001.
