Engineering at Illinois alumnus William C. Jacksonbe the guest speaker for the College of Engineering December Graduation Convocation on Saturday, December 19. An Illinois alumnus, Jackson leads Johnson Controls Building Efficiency business, a $14 billion enterprise with 60,000 employees.
Bill JacksonJackson, who earned his bachelor’s and master’s degrees in mechanical engineering at Illinois, joined Johnson Controls (JCI) in 2011, where he was responsible for leading business unit transformation and innovation across the company. He was promoted to president of Automotive Electronics & Interiors operations, and in 2013, was also named executive vice president for the company’s newly created Corporate Development function, responsible for mergers, acquisitions, and sales of businesses. Today, he leads the JCI's Building Efficiency business, a $14 billion enterprise with 60,000 employees.
Prior to joining JCI, Jackson worked for 20 years as a consultant, serving as senior vice president and board member of Booz, Allen & Hamilton and Booz & Company. He led the firm’s global automotive, transportation and industrials practice, where he worked with Johnson Controls and a number other corporations.
Early in his career, Jackson--who also holds an MBA from the University of Chicago--worked as an engineer and program manager for Lockheed (formerly General Dynamics) researching composite materials for fighter aircraft applications.
Today, he is a board member of Metaldyne Performance Group. He also serves as the chairman of the College of Engineering Board of Visitors at Illinois.
The College of Engineering December Graduation Convocation Ceremony will take place at 1:00 p.m. in the Foellinger Great Hall of the Krannert Center for the Performing Arts.