Sunday, January 8, 2023
I worked for Bill at Nalco at the same time as Ed Ekis and Linda Honigman. He was one of my most memorable Bosses for his insights, ideas, thinking ability, humor, and camaraderie/team building.
He taught us that improving your presence was essential to becoming more influential and effective. He made many of us join toastmasters to improve our speaking ability. When we went to his house for a group party, he made you stand up and tell a joke. He told me I had to improve the way my shirts looked my taking them to the laundry and getting the collars starched. If he took a customer to a restaurant, he knew the owner who greeted him by calling him Mr. Buchanan and welcoming Bill’s guests. Bill said it was important to have this setup in advance.
He came up with creative ways to market new technologies such as iron clean up and all organic. Those involved at that time will remember the wire brush promo and the work with Digby McDonald of Ohio State.
He told it like it was. He didn’t pull punches and that was part of the reason why corporate didn’t work for him. He was tough, but it was clear he wanted to help you. We worked hard for him, accomplished a lot, and had fun at the same time.
He was a rare breed. May he Rest In Peace.
Jim Ondyak
