Humanitarian of the Year
George W. "Bill" Rogers
George W. “Bill” Rogers is the Co-Founder and Chairman of the Board of Bonitz, Inc. and Chairman Emeritus of Consolidated Systems. Bill established these businesses in the 1950s and has seen them grow and thrive to achieve nationwide and even global recognition. He has created thousands of jobs while quietly making major personal contributions to his community and to South Carolina.
Born in Ocilla, Georgia, Bill’s family was very involved in the Methodist church and in helping meet the needs of the small community. His community service includes: Carolina Children’s Home, Salvation Army, Alston Wilkes Society, Central Carolina Community Foundation, Claflin University, Trenholm Road United Methodist Church, USC School of Medicine Business Partnership, the Sisters of Charity Providence Hospital Foundation, and Friends of Juvenile Justice. He was named the Outstanding Philanthropist by the Central South Carolina chapter of the Association of Fundraising Executives in 1999. He was inducted into the Junior Achievement Business Hall of Fame in 2002.
A graduate of Georgia Tech and a basketball letterman, Bill received his naval commission in 1944. He worked in Charlotte after his discharge in 1946 and roomed with Tom Meredith, another Georgia Tech grad. He was called back for duty in the Korean War and received the Navy Commendation medal for his service. In 1954, Rogers and Meredith started Bonitz of South Carolina.
In 1956, Bill married Connally Smith. They would become parents of Louise Rogers Slater and George William Rogers, Jr. and the grandparents of William Clayton Slater and Steven Lucas Slater. Connally was also active in church and community organizations before she passed away in 2001.
In the late ’50s, Rogers and Meredith formed RBM Metals Co. which evolved into today’s CSi. After Tom Meredith’s death in 1989, the Rogers family purchased his interest in Bonitz and CSi. Bill has transferred 95% of his family’s interest in Bonitz to an Employee Stock Ownership Plan.
Bill is an unpretentious business and community leader who avoids the limelight while investing in the community. His generosity is usually behind the scenes contributing to causes and engaging others to join him as donors and advocates. Bill’s generosity and leadership have set a standard that many will follow but few will achieve.
Born in Ocilla, Georgia, Bill’s family was very involved in the Methodist church and in helping meet the needs of the small community. His community service includes: Carolina Children’s Home, Salvation Army, Alston Wilkes Society, Central Carolina Community Foundation, Claflin University, Trenholm Road United Methodist Church, USC School of Medicine Business Partnership, the Sisters of Charity Providence Hospital Foundation, and Friends of Juvenile Justice. He was named the Outstanding Philanthropist by the Central South Carolina chapter of the Association of Fundraising Executives in 1999. He was inducted into the Junior Achievement Business Hall of Fame in 2002.
A graduate of Georgia Tech and a basketball letterman, Bill received his naval commission in 1944. He worked in Charlotte after his discharge in 1946 and roomed with Tom Meredith, another Georgia Tech grad. He was called back for duty in the Korean War and received the Navy Commendation medal for his service. In 1954, Rogers and Meredith started Bonitz of South Carolina.
In 1956, Bill married Connally Smith. They would become parents of Louise Rogers Slater and George William Rogers, Jr. and the grandparents of William Clayton Slater and Steven Lucas Slater. Connally was also active in church and community organizations before she passed away in 2001.
In the late ’50s, Rogers and Meredith formed RBM Metals Co. which evolved into today’s CSi. After Tom Meredith’s death in 1989, the Rogers family purchased his interest in Bonitz and CSi. Bill has transferred 95% of his family’s interest in Bonitz to an Employee Stock Ownership Plan.
Bill is an unpretentious business and community leader who avoids the limelight while investing in the community. His generosity is usually behind the scenes contributing to causes and engaging others to join him as donors and advocates. Bill’s generosity and leadership have set a standard that many will follow but few will achieve.
