William Bennett was recognized as one of forty Business Leaders under the age of 40 in West Michigan, recognized for their personal, charitable and professional accomplishments.

 

By Sheri Benedict

Business Review Western Michigan

WEST MICHIGAN - William Bennett, 36, began his career in 1994 as a research assistant in the biology department of Wayne State University.

He worked in the university's genetics lab for two years before accepting a position as lab technician in the R&D department of the former Amway Corp.

He co-founded OtterBase Inc. in 1998 with his brother,
Jeff Bennett, and has served as its CEO ever since.

The company, which provides staff augmentation and consulting services to Fortune 500 companies around the country, now boasts a staff of 300 and gross revenue in excess of $15 million.

Bennett did not stop there. He also founded RaVell Solutions to design and produce management software.

During the course of his career, he also has put his talents in use in the not-for-profit arena, facilitating federally funded job programs dealing with diversity in the workplace for low income and minority workers.

He also has served as volunteer program coordinator for Mid-Michigan Community Hospital and as employment coordinator for the Michigan Youth Corp.

In addition, he has acted as Summer Youth job program coordinator for Gratiot and Isabella Counties and has worked through a federally funded summer youth program to teach sexual health issues to girls ages 14 to 16.

“I am in constant pursuit of the wisdom to recognize individual strengths and to leverage those strengths for the benefit of all,” Bennett says.

“That being said, I owe my current success to the people around me:  A diverse and highly skilled team driven by passion, diligence and humility.

“On a personal level, I’m most served by unwavering dedication to my family and my values.  I believe you cannot abandon either and still experience true success.”

Awards & Honors:  Client Partner of the Year, Detroit Office, 2003 and 2004; Staffing Company of the Year, Grand Rapids Office