William C. Bates

William Bates is Executive Vice President and Chief of Staff at the Council on Competitiveness and Secretary to the Council's Board of Directors.  Bill manages the Council's outreach and message to Members of Congress, the Administration and Governors and also serves as the Executive Director of the Global Federation of Competitiveness Councils, a network of over 30 competitiveness councils from around the world committed to sharing best practices, identifying global competitiveness principles and seeking to better understand the drivers of national prosperity in a global economy.

He is the co-author of the Council’s Five for the Future and Compete competitiveness agendas that identified critical issues that will determine America’s ability to compete and prosper in the global economy. Bill is a frequent speaker both nationally and internationally on a range of competitiveness and innovation topics from education to technology policy.

He previously served as Director of Government Relations for the United States Telecom Association.  Prior to that, he was Chief of Staff and Legislative Director to House Commerce Committee member, U. S. Congresswoman Anna Eshoo (D-CA).  During his three years on Capitol Hill, he advised the Congresswoman on a wide range of technology issues including telecommunications, biotechnology and intellectual property. Before joining Ms. Eshoo, he was an Associate with the Washington, DC-based public affairs company, Cassidy & Associates.  

With more than sixteen years experience working for and with government policymakers, Bill brings a unique combination of political and policy expertise to the Council. He holds a master degree in Government from Johns Hopkins University and a bachelor degree in Government and History from Cornell University.  In his spare time, he is a writer of fiction.