William (Billy) Mendenhall Webster IV is the chief of staff to the U.S. Secretary of Education, Richard W. Riley.
Prior to joining the Department, Webster served in a variety of law, business, and political positions. In 1992, he was chief of staff to Riley, who was then director of presidential personnel at President-elect Clinton's transition office. He was also a White House Fellow at the Agency for International Development.
From 1983-1992, Webster owned and operated Carabo, Inc., the largest franchisor of the Bojangles Famous Chicken 'n Biscuit restaurant chain. Carabo operated 27 Bojangles restaurants in South Carolina.
Webster has been active in numerous community activities. He was a representative to the South Carolina Commission on Government Restructuring, a member of the board of directors of the Palmetto Project, co-chairman of the South Carolina Voter Registration Drive, and a member of the board of directors of the Alliance for Quality Education.
Webster has also participated in many political activities including service as chairman of the Greenville, S.C. County Democratic Party; campaign director of the Greenville, Spartanburg, and Union Counties (S.C.) Gore for President campaign; South Carolina Finance Chairman of the Clinton for President campaign; and a member of the National Finance Committee of the Clinton for President campaign.
Webster graduated summa cum laude from Washington and Lee University in 1979. He was a Fulbright scholar at the University of Regensburg in Germany in 1979-1980. He graduated from the University of Virginia Law School in 1983.
An avid runner, Webster has completed over 50 marathons.
Webster is married to Jody Greenstone who is currently serving as the deputy to David Gergen in the White House.
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