William Oliver

WORK HISTORY

EDUCATION

ABOUT WILLIAM OLIVER

I’m a third-generation Central Valley resident with family roots in this community spanning more than 100 years. Over the course of my career, I’ve worked across business services, economic development and public policy, with a focus on helping communities grow through job creation, investment and strong public-private partnerships.As President and CEO of the Fresno County Economic Development Corporation, I’m proud to work alongside a talented team supporting prospective and existing businesses throughout Fresno County. Together, we focus on advocacy, outreach and business support services that drive economic growth, strengthen industry relationships and create new opportunities for residents and employers.Having advanced within the organization through multiple roles, from outreach to executive leadership, I’ve had the opportunity to see economic development from several vantage points. That perspective shapes how we approach our work, bringing together private industry, civic organizations and public agencies to advance business attraction, retention and expansion, applied economics, foreign direct investment, capital recruitment and major infrastructure opportunities including High-Speed Rail.I earned an Executive Master of Science in Social Business and Entrepreneurship from the London School of Economics and Political Science, an experience that carried personal significance given my family ties to London, and a Bachelor of Science in Business Administration from the Craig School of Business at California State University, Fresno.Before leading the EDC, I served on the Madera City Council from 2014 to 2018 as Mayor Pro Tem and District 3 Councilmember, helping guide policies and investments to revitalize aging areas, expand culturally relevant services, support equitable infrastructure and strengthen public safety through Measure K. These efforts supported the addition of 14 police officers, development of the city’s third fire station and more than 100 neighborhood watch groups.I’ve also served on the Madera County Transportation Commission, the City of Madera Housing Authority and the San Joaquin River Conservancy and was recognized as a 40 Under 40 honoree by Business Street Online.