Featured Alumnus: Bill Austin '92When Bill Austin '92 looks back on his years at Avon, he thinks about the camaraderie he felt with his fellow students, the friendships he made while he was here, and the values he learned. "Avon is an amazing place and affords boys the opportunity to truly discover themselves," said Bill, who now lives in New York City with his wife, Rebecca, and nine-year-old daughter, Beatrix. "Today it still feels the same and looks the same, yet there are so many new facilities added to the campus to give today's boys the best experience that we can offer them." After graduation in 1992, Bill went on to study history and government at Bowdoin College, in Maine. Immediately after finishing college, he began working at Sun Life Financial, and then went on to start a health insurance consulting company, AGS Benefits Group, which was later acquired by NFP Corp in 2012. Bill currently still works for NFP as a Managing Director in the New York office. Bill started to give back to the Avon Old Farms community around the time that the Brown Student Center was being built. With his parents in the health club industry, the school reached out to the Austin family to get some ideas about the design and layout of the weight room and gym. "One of the better things I've done in life is give back to Avon," said Bill. "Avon changed my life- I was there for four years and the school was a stepping stone to the success I've had in my life. Unfortunately, I didn't realize the importance of giving back until I was involved." Bill eventually joined the National Council and was active for a few years there before joining the Board of Directors in 2011. He is an active member of the board currently serving as the co vice-chairman and heads up both the Alumni and Development Committee and the Benefits Committee. He also enjoys coming to campus with his family to watch football and hockey games as well as attending class reunions. "I really look forward to seeing my classmates at our 25-year reunion this spring," Bill continued. "A lot of people are surprised when returning to Avon for the first time at how all the good memories come flooding back. Sometimes, you don't realize how big a part of your life Avon was until you return to it. I hope that stepping back on the majestic campus will spark something in my classmates and encourage them to help make Avon's future even brighter."
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