Billy Gillispie
Client Delivery Partner
Microsoft

In 1979 Billy started his grocery career as a bag boy at Jewel Osco in Chicago and spent 30 years in the grocery business working just about every job available with his last role as Senior Vice President of Marketing and Merchandising at SUPERVALU. Before joining Microsoft in December 2021, Billy worked at IBM Global Business Services where he became known as the “Grocery Guy,” and worked with grocers in 26 countries transforming their customer and associate experiences with data and technology. Billy started the Grocery Industry at IBM, which focused on tailoring points of view and solutions for grocery. At Microsoft, Bill is creating a new role called Client Delivery Partner that brings industry expertise, client focus and innovative solution selling to Microsoft, while starting a Grocery Industry group of people. Billy frequently speaks at Grocery Industry events and guest lectures at Western Michigan University’s Haworth College of Business on Sales Strategy and the Grocery Industry, where he also sits on their Board of Advisors. In 1999, Billy was diagnosed with Multiple Sclerosis, and over the past 22 years has become a strong advocate for those living with MS, and to-date, “Team Gillispie” has raised $2.27 million toward research to find a cure. Billy also serves on the Greater Illinois Board of Directors, and often speaks at MS events. From their kitchen in Chicago, Billy and Gretchen started a program preparing and serving meals to the hungry and less fortunate communities in the city. Over the past 3 years 63,000 meals have been served. Billy, Gretchen and their white boxer Bella reside in the South Loop neighborhood of Chicago.