L. William "Bill" Seidman Dies Leaving a Legacy of Leadership and Innovation
May 13, 2009 - L. William “Bill” Seidman, son of F.E. Seidman, the brother and partner of BDO Seidman founder, Maximillian L. Seidman, and managing partner of our firm from 1968-1974 has died.
Bill Seidman began his BDO Seidman career in 1949 in New York. In 1952 he joined the Grand Rapids, Michigan office where he became a partner. Active in both civic and governmental affairs, he was the first practicing CPA to be appointed as Director and Chairman of the Detroit Branch of the Federal Reserve Bank of Chicago and launched the formation of Grand Valley State College (now Grand Valley State University) in Grand Rapids, Michigan.
“BDO Seidman is grateful for the role Bill played in our firm’s success through the years and recognizes his tremendous accomplishments and contributions,” said Jack Weisbaum, BDO Seidman, LLP chief executive officer. “Bill was instrumental in setting the course that has carried BDO Seidman to where it is today.”
While managing partner, Bill set rigorous goals and implemented programs that took Seidman & Seidman from a family business to a national public accounting firm. The firm formalized its national structure and built programs for recruiting, training, and professional development as well as practice development. One of the most notable achievements of Bill’s tenure as managing partner was a successful expansion program based on internal growth, and mergers and acquisitions. Over a four-year period, the firm established more than twenty new offices nationwide and expanded its presence in another ten cities.
The many remarkable achievements of his distinguished life and career include:
- Navy Veteran – awarded the Bronze Star
- Economic Advisor - Ford & Reagan Administrations
- Chairman - FDIC, 1985-1991
- Chairman - Resolution Trust Company, 1989 – 1991
- Author of Two Books - Productivity the American Advantage: How 50 U.S. Companies are Regaining the Competitive Edge (with Steven Skancke) and Full Faith and Credit: The Great S&L Debacle and other Washington Sagas
- Financial Commentator - CNBC
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