Biography

In his late seventies and retired, Bill Holmes, like most people, has experienced challenging transitions throughout his life. A common life transition challenge is career choice. Bill had challenges during his college career by realizing that architecture was not his passion nor was it within his skills set. Aviation/ flying was much more aligned to his temperament and passion. Bill’s path led him to a Bachelors degree from the University of Texas, Masters degree from TCU, as well as a commission tendered by the UT Air Force ROTC program.

Entering USAF pilot training, Bill realized that he was on a path the replicated his father’s career in aviation. Upon receiving his silver wings, Bill served in Vietnam as a reconnaissance pilot. Upon completing his southeast Asia tour, he returned to Texas and flew KC-135 aerial tankers until he separated from the USAF and began a career in commercial aviation, flying for a small regional carrier, an oil exploration company and, ultimately flying commercial airliners, domestically and internationally, for a major US carrier.

Bill’s flying career ended with the loss of much of his hearing. He started, with college connections, a business that manufactured semiconductor LED’s for the late 70’s Asian electronics manufacturing industry. That effort presented many challenges, including both corporate and personal bankruptcies. During the navigation of these challenging career change challenges, he found a home as a sales manager for a manufacturer of high reliability and leading-edge electronic components for the aerospace industry. Throughout his sales career, Bill experienced extensive travel to America’s major aerospace manufacturers. During these decades he developed advanced communication skills which continue as he travels the pathway presented by safeharborpathways.com.

After decades of sales experience at the national and international level, upon retirement, Bill chose to move toward the continuing  development of his skills in the context of mentoring, as well as communication. His safeharborpathways.com project is oriented to providing Bill’s experiences with life transitions as a resource. It offers a “safe harbor” where people can share their experiences and explore methods for creating personal clarity while traveling through life with its many life transitions.