Founder and Executive Chairman of GAA Manufacturing and Supply Chain Management (GAA) William F. Pickard, Ph.D., will be the featured speaker for Fort Valley State University’s Spring 2023 Commencement, scheduled for Saturday, May 13, 2023.

Pickard, a native of LaGrange, Georgia, began his 50-year entrepreneurial career as a McDonald’s franchisee in Detroit, Michigan. Since its founding in 1989, GAA has generated more than $5 billion in sales with eight plants in the U.S. and Canada. He is also the Founder and Executive Chairman of GAA New Ventures, Co-Managing Partner at MGM Grand Detroit Casino, and co-owner of four Black-owned newspapers, which have evolved into Real Times Media, a media marketing company.

Black Enterprise honored Pickard as one of the 50 Most Influential Black Entrepreneurs over the past 50 years. Among his other honors are the Morehouse College 34th Candle in the Dark Award for Entrepreneurship and Philanthropy and The Michigan Lifetime Humanitarian Award.

Pickard is a philanthropist, supporting education at colleges and universities, including Western Michigan University, The Ohio State University, Florida A&M University, Spelman College, Clark Atlanta University, Morehouse College, Fort Valley State University and other HBCUs.

The 2023 Spring Commencement ceremony begins at 9:30 a.m. at the Wildcat Stadium. Guests are asked to be seated by 9 a.m. All graduates participating in the ceremony will receive a maximum of twenty tickets for their guests. The clear bag policy will be enforced.

FVSU President Paul Jones commended Pickard on his success, heart to give, and commitment to creating a new generation of entrepreneurs. Pickard is the author of Surviving the Shift – 7 Proven Millionaire Moves for Embracing Change and Building Wealth.

“We are honored to have Dr. William Pickard as our Spring Commencement speaker,” Jones said. “Pickard’s Georgia roots and dedication to students and HBCUs will be especially meaningful and will inspire our students as they leave “the Valley” and unleash their light into the world.”

Pickard received his bachelor’s degree from Western Michigan University, a master’s degree from the University of Michigan and a Ph.D. from The Ohio State University. He has also received an Honorary Doctorate from Clark Atlanta University and Florida A&M University.

In 2001, Pickard was awarded Michiganian of the Year for his business success, civic leadership and philanthropy. He has served on numerous business and non-profit boards, including Asset Acceptance Capital Corporation, Michigan National Bank, LaSalle Bank, Business Leaders for Michigan, National Urban League, Detroit Symphony Orchestra, Detroit Black Chamber of Commerce, the Board of Directors of the National Park Foundation and is a lifetime member of Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity.

To view the ceremony online and for more information, visit www.fvsu.edu/commencement2023.