Otis Williams Jr.

Otis Williams was adopted and raised in a low-income single parent home, where his mother's example made himself say to himself, "If she can do it, I can do it!"

In 1986, Otis joined the U.S. Army and spent 4½ years serving his country. Part of that time was spent as an Airborne Paratrooper. In less than two years, Otis was promoted from private to sergeant.

After receiving an honorable discharge, Otis began a career in banking, with no previous banking or finance experience. In less than 18 months, he was promoted from loan collector to assistant branch manager.

In 1993, while still working full-time as a banker, Otis started his personal development firm—Otis Williams Limitless. In August of that same year, he emerged victorious from among more than 10,000 speakers worldwide to capture the coveted title of "World Champion of Public Speaking" for Toastmasters International.

As a member of the National Speakers Association, Otis has received the association's highest earned designation—"CSP"—(Certified Speaking Professional). Less than eight percent of NSA's 4,000+ members hold this professional designation.

Otis was named as one of the Business Courier and Morton's of Chicago's "Forty Under 40" young business leaders. He has been honored as a YMCA Black Achiever and has been recognized as an Emerging Leader by Applause! Magazine.

Otis has a master's degree in human resource development from Xavier University, a bachelor's degree in business administration from Thomas More College, and an associate's degree in Liberal Arts from City Colleges of Chicago. As an educator, he has authored numerous articles, books, audio and video programs, multimedia programs, and self-directed learning systems, which are distributed worldwide. In addition, Otis has also been featured in print media and is a frequent guest on radio and television programs nationwide.