Drawing upon more than a decade of community development efforts focused on public policy and economic empowerment, J. William "Billy" McFarland Jr. co-founded and serves as managing member of the investment company SmithMack, LLC. In addition, he works in an advisory capacity with the Austin Group, LLC, where he contributes to public policy and economic development initiatives at the local, regional, state, and federal levels. Prior to his current positions, J. William McFarland Jr. served as special assistant to the president at the University of West Alabama. Billy McFarland Jr.'s involvement with the University of West Alabama also included director roles with its James Suttles Entrepreneurship Institute and its Center for Business and Entrepreneurial Services. As a lead project developer and grant writer with the latter organization, McFarland was instrumental in securing a $2.19 million award from the US Department of Labor Employment and Training Administration, which helped to establish a world-class technical training program. This stood out as the largest grant ever awarded to the school. His experience extends to community development planning with the West Alabama Regional Commission, where he managed a revolving loan fund for new businesses and secured in excess of $1 million in state and federal grant awards. J. William McFarland Jr. has received a number of honors for his work, including the Key to the City of Fairhope, Alabama, and the Delta Regional Authority Federal Co-Chairman's Coin Award.