“People don’t care how much you know until they first know how much you care.” It’s a quote by John C. Maxwell but a true illustration of how Bill Amick has chosen to live his life. The Amick name has been renowned in South Carolina for decades, with Amick Farms playing an important role in dinnertime decisions within many a household. Bill Amick took over the family business in 1972, which would set him on a path of outstanding leadership for years to come. Bill led the company to become a highly successful, vertically integrated business with hatchery and feed mill operations and a state-of-the-art poultry processing facility that produces more than seven million pounds of chicken every week.
People Don’t Care How Much You Know, Until They First Know How Much You Care.
Building on the success and management skills he obtained though his leadership of Amick Farms, Bill broadened his horizons and entered the field of real estate development. Bill, along with his partners, has developed projects in Beaufort, S.C. and Hendersonville, N.C. His projects include beautiful, upscale, gated communities, one with a complete 18-hole Fazio golf course.
This level of success doesn’t come easy for most people, and, for Bill, it comes with humility. When pondering his thoughts on receiving this honor, he said, “Somebody dipped the bottom of the barrel.” On the contrary, Bill’s leadership and dedication to his community, his alma mater – Clemson University – and agriculture make him a natural for this recognition.
Bill currently serves on the Clemson University Board of Trustees along with David Wilkins, who serves as chairman. “Without question, Bill Amick’s steadfast commitment to excellence, his vision for what Clemson can be, and his unwavering leadership have been instrumental in taking Clemson University to the next level,” David says. “His enthusiasm, his focus on the big picture and his total commitment to Clemson make all of us on the Board better trustees. He helps raise our game individually and collectively.”
Clemson’s president Jim Barker agrees, “Bill Amick’s vision and energy are his two most meaningful contributions to Clemson. His vision is shaped by his insight into the world of business success and his insight into the heart of Clemson University. His energy comes from his joy in seeing Clemson succeed. He has a kindness and a concern for others that sets the highest standards for all of us.”
Bill is an avid fly fisherman. He enjoys traveling out West for his favorite hobby.
Every Organization is Really in the People Business.
Bill is also a member of the Palmetto AgriBusiness Council, the SCANA Board of Directors, the Blue Cross/Blue Shield Board of Directors, the Palmetto Business Forum and the BIPEC Advisory Board. His civic memberships and honors – too numerous to list – showcase his commitment to faith in God, community and agriculture, all steeped in the tradition of his family business.
The characteristics that led Bill to his current level of success are worthy to follow. Bill is sure to never ask anyone do anything that he would not be willing to do himself. He is also sure to realize that all of his decisions, either positively or negatively, affect everyone associated with the companies he has worked for or run. Because of that, he keeps his priorities in order. “I try to encourage each individual to prioritize their life by putting God first, family next and then their job. This approach always, without exception, has enhanced the prosperity of the businesses with which I have been involved,” he says.
An enthusiastic outdoorsman, Bill (right) enjoys quail hunting with his friends.
Put God First, Family Next and Then Work.
And Bill Amick’s preacher, John Griffith – lovingly referred to as “Preacher John” – is a testament to this fact. John has been preaching for more than 57 years, several of those years as the Chaplain at Amick Farms, where he would hold five services a week. For the past 16 years, John has been at the Chapel in the Woods, a church Bill Amick helped to build. “Bill Amick is an outstanding man, and I hold him in high esteem,” says John. “He is a tremendous giver to people, having built churches for people, making it possible for others to rent locations for churches, and giving his time and his offering to the advancement of God’s Word on this Earth. He continues to support the church so wonderfully, sharing his faith with other people by praying with them in times of crisis and doing all that he can to help. He is an extremely benevolent person in his giving.”
Bill believes that no organization will ever be any better than its people. “Regardless of what the final product to be marketed may be, whether a service or a tangible product or both, each and every organization is really in the people business.” And with someone like Bill Amick, it’s a business that’s flourishing.
