About William S. Bike

Central Park Communications

William S. Bike joined Central Park Communications in 1995 as vice president and was promoted to senior vice president in 2003. He is a historical expert and pundit with decades of experience as a journalist and governmental liaison for various organizations.

Journalism & PR Expertise

Since 1979, Bike has worked in journalism or public relations for trade publications Dental Products Report and Business Insurance magazines; community newspapers the Oak Park News and the Berwyn-Cicero News (both of which he served as editor-in-chief beginning at age 24) and the Gazette Chicago Magazine; and for three universities: Loyola University Chicago, the University of Chicago, and the University of Illinois at Chicago.

Bike spent ten years at Loyola University Chicago’s public relations department, the last five as director of university publications. He oversaw a $1 million annual budget and a dozen regularly scheduled publications including the 100,000-circulation Loyola Magazine. Under Bike’s direction, he and his staff won 39 local, national, and international writing, design, and publications awards.

Development Experience

At the University of Illinois at Chicago College of Dentistry, Bike served as Director of Advancement and Alumni Affairs Communications, the Dean’s Liaison for Governmental Affairs, the Dean’s Liaison to the Webmaster and Web Content Editor, Social Media Editor, and Editor-in-Chief of several publications.

Awards

At UIC, Bike received the Chancellor’s Academic Professional Excellence Award and Award of Merit, the university’s highest awards conferred on staff. His fundraising proposals resulted in more than $2.5 million in gifts to the college.

He also has won the highest award in Chicago journalism, the Peter Lisagor Award, four times.

Books, Articles

He also is the author of the books Streets of the Near West Side (ACTA Publications, 1996, and 1st Books Library, 2001); Winning Political Campaigns (Denali Press, 1998 and 2001, and Central Park Communications, 2012); Celebrating a Proud Past (UIC College of Dentistry Press, 2013); and The Forgotten Chicago Cubs: Go and Glow (The History Press/Arcadia, 2021); and the editor of Essays on Earl Renfroe–A Man of Firsts (UIC College of Dentistry Press, 2001).

As a writer, Bike’s articles and other works have appeared in more than 50 publications and on numerous websites.

As a commentator, Bike has made numerous radio, television, podcast, and print appearances concerning politics and government.

Experience Since 1979

• Editing, reporting, article research, editorial writing, proofreading, word processing, manuscript solicitation
• Graphic design oversight, print buying, production, layout, photography
• Advertising copywriting, sales, and billing
• Web oversight and social media
• Media relations, marketing, branding, book marketing
• Fundraising, proposal writing; gift solicitation
• Alumni relations, board development, event planning
• Speech writing and public speaking
• Budget management, bookkeeping, file management