901-754-9404
My List0

We've now made it easier for you to research and save your favorite keynotes speakers. Click on the + sign to add a speaker to your Speaker List and email your favorites to colleagues and friends.

using System.Text.RegularExpressions;
Bill Lester, Diversity Speaker

Bill Lester

    • Formally trained and employed Computer Scientist who risked it all, and became a full-time professional NASCAR driver at age 40 and lived his dream
Full Bio
In Person-Fee 🛈

$15,000 - $20,000

Virtual Fee:

Please Inquire

Travels From

Georgia

Bill Lester Commencement Speech

Bill Lester Commencement Speech

Former NASCAR driver opens up about being 1 of only 7 black drivers

Former NASCAR driver opens up about being 1 of only 7 black drivers

Interview with NASCAR Racer Bill Lester Part 1 of 3

Interview with NASCAR Racer Bill Lester Part 1 of 3

Bill Lester Speaker Biography


Bill Lester has quickly made an impact on the world of NASCAR racing, earning a spot with Bill Davis Racing and Team Toyota in the NASCAR Craftsman Truck Series. He is a modern-day trailblazer in terms of NASCAR’s diversity initiative, and has demonstrated the speed, charisma and media skills to deliver winning results on and off the racetrack.

Winning SCCA Championships, racing in the Trans-Am Series and at the 24 Hours of Daytona may not be the most traditional path to NASCAR, but coming from a roadracing background in California, in 1999 Bill found himself behind the wheel of a Busch Grand National car at Watkins Glen, one of the most challenging stops on the circuit. Bill served notice of his ability by running in the top ten during his debut and the doors that led to a full-time ride in the Craftsman Truck Series began to open.

In 2002 and 2003, Bill drove for the Dodge Dealers team fielded by Bobby Hamilton Racing, and showed he had the speed and ability to set pole position, lead races and contend for wins. In 2004, Bill Lester became a full time NASCAR driver for Bill Davis Racing and Toyota Motorsports, racing in the Craftsman Truck Series. Now a four year NASCAR veteran, Bill Lester currently drives the Toyota Tundra #22 for Bill Davis Racing’s Toyota Motorsports official factory entry into NASCAR’s truck series.

Lester earned the fastest qualifier ‘pole position’ at Lowe’s Motor Speedway, set the fastest lap of the race at Homestead, and gained his first top-10 truck series finish (Kansas Speedway) during his tenure with Hamilton from 2002 to 2003. Bill also led races at Nashville in 2003 and at Lowe’s Motor Speedway in 2004. In 2005 Bill Lester accomplished the impressive feat of qualifying in the Number One Pole Position twice, in the Top Five 50% of the time, and on the Front Row in 30% of his races! He ended the 2005 season by breaking the track record in qualifying at Homestead , and finishing a competitive fifth in the race. The 2006 CTS season began with Lester up front again, qualifying on the front row next to Mark Martin at Daytona International Speedway. In March of 2006, Lester climbed behind the wheel of a Nextel Cup racecar for the first time.

Sports speaker Bill Lester currently resides in Atlanta , Georgia with his wife Cheryl and son Alex. After earning an Electrical Engineering/Computer Science degree at the University of California, Berkley, Bill joined Hewlett-Packard in 1985 began building his racing career on weekends at tracks in Northern California. Bill is focused on giving back to the community and tirelessly gives his time, energy and financial resources to many charitable organizations.

To book Bill Lester call Executive Speakers Bureau at 901-754-9404.

• Teamwork - a critical component to utilize when attempting to accomplish common goals. Using examples from his background both in professional auto racing and corporate America, Bill cites how collaboration brings forth best ideas and synergies. Teamwork fosters cooperation and incorporates different views, knowledge, and experiences to arrive at optimal solutions to problems.

• Perseverance - Bill shares personal stories of how persistence is a cornerstone to his personal achievement and success, just as it is to that of others. Determination is just as key. He shares examples of how utilizing different techniques that encourage perseverance can render obstacles once thought insurmountable to become attainable.

• Innovation - is key to navigating and advancing in todays’ society. It is no longer business as usual. Pivoting is the new normal. Reinvention, and the creation of newly developed strategies, processes, and methods is integral to both business competitiveness as well as personal achievement and growth. Bill thoughtfully provides insights to support these statements owing to his experiences in both the high tech sector and the racing industry.

Diversity, Equity & Inclusion – Whether it was attending a high school with a student body of 2600 students of which only a dozen or so were black, or being one of only a handful of black students to graduate a top university with an engineering degree, to working as one of the few black project managers in Silicon Valley during the high-tech boom of the 80s, or driving race cars in the rarified air of NASCAR, Bill grew accustomed to typically being “the only one in the room”. He reflects on these experiences and how he navigated them to his benefit. He also speaks to the power of embracing diversity and how incorporating people of different backgrounds and experiences can lead to more effective and productive outcomes.

Related Speakers

Gregg Steinberg, Leadership Speaker

Gregg Steinberg

Performance Psychology Expert

Marshall Goldsmith Speaker

Marshall Goldsmith

World Authority in Helping Successful Leaders Get Even Better

Orel Hershiser, Celebrity Speaker

Orel Hershiser

Broadcaster

Leroy Chiao, Innovation Speaker

Leroy Chiao

Astronaut & International Space Station Commander

Jaeson Jones keynote speaker

Jaeson Jones

Sworn Enemy of the Cartel

Diana Jordan, Emcee Speaker

Diana Jordan

Cancer Survivor

Michael McGrath, Personal Growth Speaker

Michael McGrath

Inspirational Speaker; Performance Catalyst; Change Agent

Catherine Kaputa, Branding Speaker

Catherine Kaputa

Brand Strategist

Laura Putnam, keynote speaker

Laura Putnam

CEO of Motion Infusion

Richard Stone

Richard Stone

Nationally recognized speaker on the power of story and its applications in business

Carlos Conejo, Personal Growth Speaker

Carlos Conejo

Multicultural Marketing and Diversity Expert

Tim Kirkland, keynote speaker

Tim Kirkland

CEO of Renegade Hospitality Group

Reviews

Testimonials

A wonderful bureau to work with! Big ups to everyone who helped make our event a success. Fingers crossed we get the chance to collaborate fo..

MDRT | Testimonial

"As always, you are the best most responsive speaker bureau I've ever worked with!"

Image Media

Angela Schelp was a great partner in finding the right kick-off speaker for our conference. This was my first conference identifying the keyn..

CubeSmart

I just wanted to thank Matt Meyer and Sheryl Moon for their meticulous assistance with identifying, securing and preparing our chosen guest s..

Testimonials | TraceLink | Executive Speakers

This was my first experience using ESB to locate and secure a keynote speaker for my Corporate event. They were extremely easy to work with a..

AngMar Medical Holdings

"Matt Meyer was really wonderful in assisting me to find the correct keynote speaker for our conference. Jenny Foreman was completely on top ..

The Anchor Group

"As always, Executive Speakers Bureau helped us execute another flawless event. It is always so reassuring to know that you have a team behin..

Texas Hospital Association

"What stands out about the times I have worked with Executive Speakers Bureau is their lightning-fast response time. ESB’s account exec..

Keynote Speaker

"I've worked with Richard and ESB for many years and he's always able to deliver for us. He works hard to meet your speaker goals within the ..

Chem Dry

"Angela is the best!!! I can always count on her honest feedback about speakers. She helps me look like a hero to my company!"

Testimonials | Medtronic | Executive Speakers
Need Suggestions? Have Questions?

Need Suggestions? Have Questions?

Call to discuss how we can you help find the right speaker(s) for your organization.

© 2023 Executive Speakers Bureau. All Rights Reserved.

Design and Developed by eBiz Solutions

Get Ideas in 1 hour or less

Executive Speakers Bureau consistently receives praises about our speed and efficiency. From the beginning of your event planning, our extensive online speaker database and resourceful staff allow us to quickly equip you with the best speaker for your event.

Need a last minute speaker? No worries. Our speed and efficiency help us give you ideas for speakers in one hour or less.

Please fill in information below