William J. Pesce

William J. Pesce became president and chief executive officer of John Wiley & Sons, Inc. on May 1, 1998. A member of Wiley’s leadership team since 1989, Pesce previously served as chief operating officer with responsibility for all of the company’s global publishing operations. During Pesce’s career at Wiley, the company has consistently gained market share, improved profitability and increased shareholder value through a combination of organic growth and acquisitions. Since Pesce became president and CEO, Wiley has consummated three of the largest and most successful acquisitions in the company’s history. The Financial Times recognized Wiley as one of the “World’s Most Respected Companies.” Working Mother Magazine selected the company as one of the “100 Best Companies for Working Mothers.” FORTUNE magazine named Wiley one of the “100 Best Companies to Work For.”

Pesce received his M.B.A. with honors from New York University, and he received his B.A. with honors from William Paterson University. Pesce is the first member of his family to earn a college degree.

Pesce is on the Board of Directors of John Wiley & Sons, the Board of Overseers of NYU’s Stern School of Business, the Board of Trustees of William Paterson University and the Board of Directors of the Association of American Publishers. He is on the Executive Committee of the Business-Higher Education Forum.