William August Hillenbrand Jr., also known as Gus, is the president and chief executive officer of Hillenbrand Industries, Inc. His great-grandfather, a German immigrant, started the Batesville Casket Company in the late 1800s. Later, Hillenbrand's grandfather John saved the coffin business from bankruptcy and was also the first to market airtight, watertight caskets. Hillenbrand's father founded the Hill-Rom Company in 1929, which later merged with Hillenbrand Industries.

Hillenbrand attended St. Joseph College in Rensselaer, Indiana where he graduated with a degree in business management in 1965. Having already been with the family company for seven years, it was no surprise when Hillenbrand was named assistant to the president (at the time, his uncle John) in 1965. In 1970, Hillenbrand was named vice president of operations and later, when he was still in his early 40s, he became president and COO. In 1985, a new subsidiary, Forethought Federal Savings Bank, was formed to allow individuals to save for their own funerals. Hillenbrand was appointed CEO of the parent company in 1989.

The Hillenbrand Family ranked on the Forbes 400 list for 1998. William Hillenbrand is married and currently resides in Batesville, Indiana. He serves as a trustee of Denison University and the Batesville Girl Scouts.
Work History
(present) president and CEO of Hillenbrand Industries

(1989) named CEO and also sits on board

(1985) Forethought Group founded

(1981) named president and COO of Hillenbrand

(1979-1981) executive vice president

(1970-1979) vice president of operations

(1965-1970) assistant to president

(1958) started with Hillenbrand
Affiliations
(1992) named to DPL Inc.'s board of directors

serves as a Trustee of Denison University, the

National Committee for Quality Health Care and the Batesville Girl Scouts