Bill and I met several years ago through a high school friend, Gary Miller. He, Gary, and their housemates had just thrown the "Angels on the Beach" party, which was a phenomenal success that beach season. For those who didn’t make it, think everything heavenly; billowing white fabric, twinkling lights, halos, wings, and a few party theme crashing devils.

At the time I had been chairing the LOVE benefit and was looking for help. Bill stepped up to the plate and co-chaired the event with me for several years. Since last year he has chaired it on his own and has taken the event in new successful directions. He’s done a wonderful job raising money for some very deserving charities. Congratulations on another successful year!

Mark: What first brought you to the Rehoboth Beach area?

Bill: I’ve been coming to Rehoboth Beach for 6 seasons. A friend of mine from Dallas was going to be in a beach house here and wanted to throw a party. He wanted help with a theme. Being the control freak I am, I told him I wanted to be there. As it happened there was a share open in the house and I shuttled back and forth from Dallas for two summers. I was a convert the minute I got to Rehoboth.

Mark: You’re originally from Alabama, CAMP Rehoboth President Murray Archibald’s home state, but most recently from the state of Texas. Do you miss Texas?

Bill: I don’t miss the heat. I’m glad I don’t have to deal with it anymore. That’s what made Rehoboth so attractive.

Mark: You live in Washington, DC now. How have you made the adjustment?

Bill: It wasn’t much of an adjustment, because I had met so many people through Rehoboth. I had friends before I even got here. That made the move a lot easier. What I didn’t expect was the heavy traffic in DC and the commute to Virginia for work.

Mark: What has your experience working on the LOVE Benefit been like?

Bill: It has been the most incredible experience of my life. Knowing that I, and the others I work with, have the ability to make a difference in other people’s lives on three fronts is extremely gratifying. We are able to raise money to help people with HIV and AIDS, bring awareness to that cause, and the event itself can be a powerful unifying experience for the people who attend. When you talk to people about how great they feel during the event, you know they carry on that feeling afterwards. That’s extremely satisfying.

Mark: How has the LOVE Benefit volunteer experience changed you?

Bill: For me personally the biggest change is that, I know people will find it hard to believe, but I’m a really very shy person. This has forced me out of my shell. After (people) get to know me then they can’t get me to shut up!

Mark: You’ve taken the fundraiser and expanded it a great deal. Are there any new directions you are considering?

Bill: I don’t think there are any new directions. We now have a full weekend of activities. We don’t want to lose our focus. The number one priority is raising money for the beneficiaries. We’ll tweak things, but I don’t see any major expansion. But, we are always looking to make things better.

Mark: How did you get involved with the Beach House Rush Party?

Bill: Some of the guys in our house had helped before. When Tom (the former organizer) decided to do some other things it was natural that we help put it together. Of course, Steve (Elkins) and Murray (Archibald) provided a tremendous amount of help.

Mark: Do you have a little known Rehoboth Beach pleasure?

Bill: Kohr Brothers frozen custard, peanut butter and chocolate. You have to be very quick when eating it in August.

Mark: What historical figure or celebrity would you consider asking out on a date and why?

Bill: Well it might sound odd, but of all people it would Barry Diller. He’ s CEO of InterActive Corp. He’s a mogul, is everywhere, and a member of our "community." He runs Home Shopping Network, Ticketmaster, Match.com, Expedia, Hotels.com, and more. What I find most interesting about him is that he saw what the Internet could be way before anybody else could. To me he’s our Donald Trump.

Mark: Where would you take that date?

Bill: The most visible restaurant in Manhattan, where he lives!

Mark: Anything I should have asked, but didn’t?

Bill: Boxers or briefs?

Mark: Or nothing?

Bill: Definitely something. Commando is not an option. I wear boxer-briefs, which are long and snug.

Mark: What do you think is in store for Rehoboth Beach?