Charles A. Banks III

Mr. Banks received his B.A. (international relations) from Brown University in 1962.  Upon graduation he was commissioned an Ensign in the United States Navy, where he served two years on active duty and five additional years in the Naval Reserve, advancing to Lieutenant (USNR).  Mr. Banks joined the Peebles Supply Division of Ferguson Enterprises in 1967, advancing quickly through appointments as General Manager of Ferguson’s Herndon location and to Regional Manager for the Southeast region.  In 1987, he moved to the corporate office as Senior Executive Vice President and in 1989 was promoted to President and Chief Executive of Ferguson Enterprises Inc.  In 1992 Mr. Banks was appointed to the Board of Wolseley PLC (the parent company of Ferguson) and in 2001 was appointed Group Chief Executive.  Mr. Banks retired in July 2006.  He is currently a partner in Clayton, Dubilier & Rice; a Non Executive Director of Bunzl PLC and of TowneBank/Peninsula.  He holds an honorary degree from Christopher Newport University. In 1989, Mr. Banks was elected to the William and Mary Business School Foundation Board of Directors and from 1992 until 2001 served as chairman.  In 2005 the Alumni Association named Mr. Banks an honorary alumnus and in 2006 he was awarded the T.C. and Elizabeth Clarke Medallion by the Business School.  Mr. Banks was appointed to the Board of Visitors in 2006.  Currently he serves as Chair of the Committee on Financial Affairs, and is a member of the Executive Committee and the Committee on Development and Alumni Affairs.  Mr. Banks is a past Chair of the Committee on Athletics.