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William S. Norman (Finding Aid)
1938 -
Favorite Color: Blue
Favorite Food: Chicken
Favorite Vacation Spot: Everywhere in the U.S. and its territories
Interview Length: 167 minutes
Interview Date(s): December 16, 2004
Interview Location(s): Washington D.C.
Abstract
William Norman, president and CEO of the Travel Industry Association of America, details his childhood and family background. He describes his family background on the Albemarle Sound of North Carolina, whose industry was dominated by the Navy, his future employer. President and CEO of the Travel Industry Association of America, William Norman recallas the sights, sounds and smells of his childhood in Norfolk, Virginia. He also describes his childhood and segregated education. William Norman, CEO and president of The Travel Industry of America, talks about his high school years, discusses how he chose his college, West Virginia Wesleyan College, and describes his experiences there. President and CEO of the Travel Industry Association of America, WIlliam Norman, details his experiences as a post-baccalaureat student. He recalls encountering racism in housing and education. After receiving a draft letter during the Vietnam War, he decided to join the Navy. While there, he played a large role in implementing and suggesting changes the Navy needed to make in terms of its recruitment and training of black and minority sailors. Travel industry executive, William Norman discusses his career trajectory from the Navy to the private sector. He also discusses the devistating impact the September 11 terrorist attcks had upon the travel industry and the efforts made since then to staunch the losses. President and CEO of the Travel Industry Association of America, William Norman, discusses the challeneges the US tourism industry has dealt with since 9/11
47 Stories (See Ordered Story Set)
- Slating of William Norman interview
- William Norman's favorites
- William Norman remembers his mother
- William Norman describes his father
- William Norman details his parents' courtship
- William Norman remembers his grandmother
- William Norman recalls his childhood environs, Norfolk, Virginia
- William Norman recounts holidays in his household
- William Norman describes his childhood activities
- William Norman names his siblings and gives their birth order
- William Norman talks about the smells, sounds and sights of his childhood
- William Norman discusses his childhood activities
- William Norman talks about his early educational experience
- William Norman recalls some highlights from his childhood
- William Norman talks about his childhood expectations for a career
- William Norman details his father's carpentry skills
- William Norman recollects the different disciplinary methods employed by his mother and father and the balance of power in their relationship
- William Norman recalls attending both of his parents churches as a child
- William Norman describes his father's church as the focal point of his rural community
- William Norman recalls experiences at his segregated junior high school
- William Norman continues discussing a tenuous relationship with a mentor
- William Norman talks about the traits of individuals who he looked up to in junior high
- William Norman recounts his high school experience and his preparation for college
- William Norman relates the way he selected the college that he attended
- William Norman talks about campus life at West Virginia Wesleyan College
- William Norman describes his notion of a career path following his college degree in chemistry and math
- William Norman describes the pivotal shift in career plans
- William Norman decides to quit teaching and join the Navy
- William Norman recounts his experiences with racism in the Navy during the 1960s
- William Norman details his experiences as a White House Aide
- William Norman talks about being profiled in a book on military racism
- William Norman describes his experience as a Naval officer in Viet Nam
- William Norman explains his affiliation with Cummins Engine Company
- William Norman discusses his Congressianal testimony on race problems in the Navy
- William Norman is surprised bythe corporate diversity at Cummins Engine Company
- William Norman recalls his 14 year tenure at Amtrak
- William Norman excels while at Amtrak
- William Norman describes his transition from Amtrak to the Travel Industry Association of America in 1994
- William Norman describes the devistating impact of the September 11, 2001 terrorist attacks
- William Norman details travel industry recovery plan after the September 11, 2001 terrorist attacks
- William Norman details tourism industry challenges since 9/11
- William Norman addresses the safety of United States travel
- William Norman shares his formula for success
- William Norman finds great value in a Naval career
- William Norman disdains the value systems of young black men
- William Norman repsonds to a question about what Irving Klein would think of his success
- William Norman shares his delight in being a HistoryMaker