“It’s the human element that makes or breaks a business. That’s why it’s crucial that businesses manage people in a way that keeps them efficient, compliant, and profitable.”
BILL J. LYONS
LYONS HR | AUTHOR
Bill J. Lyons is the Founder and Executive Chairman of Lyons HR, a national Professional Employer Organization. Businesses across the country have relied upon his expertise for over 35 years. Hundreds of small and medium-sized businesses trust Bill and his partners to ensure that their HR needs are maintained to the highest standard.
Prior to starting Lyons HR in 1995, he held positions in accounting and finance for both private and publicly held companies. “I learned early in my career that if you make a priority out of your people and get that part of your business right, everything else will fall into place because good people will always find a way to solve problems,” he recalls.
When he began working within the Professional Employer Organization (PEO) industry, he felt his calling. This was a way to create true value for businesses and bring clarity to leaders. “You went into business because you had an idea, or you wanted to be your own boss,” Bill asserts. “You most certainly did not start your business so that you could manage all these things…but as an employer, you are responsible. That’s exactly why PEOs exist!”
Embracing his entrepreneurial spirit, Bill grew Lyons HR from a modest business based in an 800-square-foot office in Florence, Alabama into one of the largest privately-held PEOs in the country. In addition to his work as a CEO, Bill has served on the boards of several private companies and industry organizations including the Business Council of Alabama, and he is the past chairman of the Employer Services Assurance Corporation.
Bill earned his BS in Communication from Freed-Hardeman University and his BS in Accounting from the University of North Alabama. He went on to receive his MBA from the University of Tennessee at Martin. A Certified Management Accountant, Bill is also accredited by the Institute of Business Appraisers and certified by the Institute of Certified Business Counselors.
Bill and his wife Kelley have five grown children and five grandchildren. Within his local community, Bill has served on numerous boards including the University of North Alabama Foundation board.