William G. McGowan

William G. McGowan (December 10, 1927 – June 8, 1992) was an American entrepreneur, and founder and chairman of MCI Communications. He played an important role in the breakup of AT&T while growing MCI into a US$9.5 billion in revenue entity that controlled 16% of the American domestic and international long distance market. Biography

Early life McGowan was born in Ashley, Pennsylvania, the third of five children. Bill was active in Ashley Boy Scouts and his troop which included his friends, Tim Klinges, Manus Cooney, Dave Cooney and George Frees, was one of the first group of Boy Scouts to go to Camp St. Andrew before it opened publicly in Tunkhannock, PA. Bill's brother, Monsignor Andrew J. McGowan eventually ran Camp St. Andrew. After graduating from Hanover High School Bill joined the US Army and served as a medic for two and a half years. (The Hagley Museum's oral history-based account gives his service as three years and notes his participation in the Berlin Airlift.) He then attended Harvard Business School, graduating in 1954 as a Baker Scholar. In his role as chairman, McGowan raised capital for the growing company and set up fifteen of the seventeen regional carriers that would form the basis of MCI's initial communications network.

Personal life McGowan married Sue Ling Gin, a Chicago entrepreneur, in a private ceremony in Virginia Beach on July 5, 1984. They decided to keep their marriage secret for a year as Sue Ling wanted credit for success in her own right and not as the wife of McGowan. On April 25, 1987, McGowan underwent a heart transplant at UPMC Presbyterian in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania.

Death On December 21, 1986, McGowan experienced a heart attack. His medical problems resulted in his receiving a heart transplant on April 25, 1987.

Legacy McGowan's philanthropy continues on in many forms. He established what is now the McGowan Institute for Regenerative Medicine at the University of Pittsburgh Medical Center due to his heart condition. Just before his death, he also established the William G. McGowan School of Business at King's College.

McGowan has a fellowship foundation for second year MBA students. The foundation will pay for the second year tuition at a top business school.

In 1992, William McGowan was honored with an Edison Achievement Award for his commitment to innovation throughout his career.

In 2002, McGowan was inducted into the Wireless Hall of Fame for his dedication to the cellular industry.