Bill Belaney played violin during school years in East Liverpool, Ohio and trombone in the marching band and a dance band. A World War II Navy veteran, he received a B.S. degree in Education from Ohio State University. Professionally, while in college he became a staff member at WCOL Columbus’s ABC station, first as DJ, then Newscaster, News Director and Program Director. Next, he joined the fast growing Credit Union movement and became the first full time credit union marketing director in the country. Later he went into bank marketing, established the first ATM network in Michigan, winning the Bank Marketing Association’s prestigious Golden Coin Award and retired as Executive Vice President of Pontiac State Bank. He was very active in community affairs, serving as President of both the Chamber of Commerce and United Way in North Oakland County. He was also the United Way Campaign Director and was awarded his United Way’s first Lifetime Achievement Award. During this time he was also an accredited speaker of the National Management Association and spoke to a variety of audiences from coast to coast. He and his wife, Marge, moved to Naples in 1998, and these days he presents a program “Remembering Radio” to groups whose members are old enough to remember radio.
This season marks his 5th year as Announcer for the Naples Concert Band.