Harold William Heller was an American politician and educator.
26 Facts About Bill Heller
1.
2.
Bill Heller served as the Dean of the College of Education and Director of the Wally and Louise Bishop Center for Ethical Leadership and Civic Engagement at the University of South Florida St Petersburg.
3.
Bill Heller served two terms in the Florida House of Representatives, representing Florida House District 52.
4.
Bill Heller served on or chaired several non-profit agencies' boards of directors.
5.
Bill Heller graduated from Southern Illinois University with a Bachelor of Science in elementary and special education in 1959.
6.
Bill Heller received a Master of Science degree from Northern Illinois University in guidance and counseling in 1961, and an Education Doctorate from the University of Northern Colorado in special education in 1964.
7.
Bill Heller moved to Florida in 1992 to head the University of South Florida's St Petersburg campus, becoming the first permanent head of the campus in three years, beginning in August 1992.
8.
Bill Heller's role was to develop the campus's business, liberal arts, and journalism departments, as well as to complete the library and marine center building projects.
9.
Bill Heller led the St Petersburg campus as dean and chief executive officer from 1992 to 2002.
10.
Bill Heller resigned as CEO of the St Petersburg campus at the request of USF president Judy Genshaft and became a faculty member in August 2002.
11.
Bill Heller's successor was Karen White, former dean of fine arts at the University of Nebraska at Omaha and a concert violinist, originally from Joplin, Missouri.
12.
Bill Heller entered the race after McCallum had already been campaigning for about a year.
13.
Bill Heller cited his education experience and ties to the community as important qualities.
14.
The St Petersburg Times endorsed Bill Heller, calling him a person with the ability to solve problems through consensus building and his work to make USF St Petersburg independent.
15.
In return, a graphic designer who had done work for the Bill Heller campaign accused the PAC of violating contribution laws based on a $5000 contribution it had received and criticized Democrats attacking fellow democrats.
16.
Cappelli was seen as taking an authoritarian approach, while Bill Heller was more inclined to collaborate with others.
17.
Bill Heller said he supported embryonic stem cell research and categorized himself as pro-choice.
18.
Bill Heller said he would address cherry picking by auto and life insurance companies.
19.
Bill Heller's support extended beyond the Democratic Party because of his long-term civic activity and his ability to work across party lines.
20.
Bill Heller's progressivism reflected the interests and views of voters in District 52.
21.
Bill Heller was ranking Democrat on the Post Secondary Education Committee.
22.
State Senator Mike Fasano, who claims to be a non-drinker, introduced a bill in the Senate to illegalize requiring bar patrons to drink, and Heller sponsored the bill in the House.
23.
Bill Heller initially opposed it but stated he was persuaded that it was an issue of quality education after meeting with the parents using vouchers to send their children to a private school.
24.
Bill Heller opposed a Bill in 2008 that would require pregnant women to have a sonogram before undergoing a first-trimester abortion.
25.
Bill Heller was endorsed by the St Petersburg Chamber of Commerce, and Associated Industries of Florida.
26.
Bill Heller won the endorsement of the St Petersburg Times.