William Cobbs
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William C. Cobbs, known as Bill Cobbs, was born on (November 11th, 1953) is a veteran of the United States Navy, former Detroit police officer, a retired African-American business executive, and Democrat running for governor of Michigan.
Bill Cobbs | |
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| File:Bill Cobbs 2018 - wiki.jpg | |
| Personal details | |
| Born | William C. Cobbs November 11, 1953 Detroit, Michigan |
| Political party | Democratic |
| Spouse | Lisa Cobbs |
| Children | Will & Brooke Cobbs |
| Residence(s) | Farmington Hills, Michigan |
| Education | Cass Technical High School University of Michigan B.A. Wayne State University J.D. |
| Website | www |
| Military service | |
| Allegiance |  United States of America |
| Branch/service |  United States Navy |
| Years of service | 1971–1977 (active) 1977–1981 (reserve) |
Early Life
Bill Cobbs was born on born November 11th, 1953 in Detroit’s Black Bottom Neighborhood to working-class parents who had been a part of the Great Migration North from the South. Bill spent his first years living in the neighborhood of Detroit known as Black Bottom with his mother, Margaret and father, William. When the black bottom community was bulldozed to make way for the 375 interchange the family moved to the west side of Detroit and purchased the family home on Lawrence between 12th and 14th Street. At 14 Cobbs witnessed tanks rolling down 12th Street during the 1967 Riots. Bill attended Detroit public schools, Graduating from Cass Technical High School in 1970.
Education
After completing High School, Cobbs entered the University of Michigan in 1970. After a year he was forced to withdraw because his parents ran out of money. Bill then decided to enlist in the United States Navy. Based on his distinguished Naval service he was recommended for the Naval Intelligence Division Navy’s BOOST Program (Broadened Opportunities for Officer Selection and Training) by his commanding officer. His appointment was approved by the Chief of Naval Operations (Admiral Elmo R. Zumwalt). The BOOST Program allowed Cobbs to return to the University of Michigan and complete his undergraduate education. After completing his Naval service, Cobbs was admitted to Wayne State University Law School in 1977. Cobbs helped to finance his Law School education by working full time as a Detroit Police officer.
Public Service Career
While in the Navy, Bill served in SOC (Special Operations Command). This service provided the pathway for selection to the Navy BOOST program. After completing the Navy BOOST program, Bill returned to active duty as a member of SOC until his honorable discharge from active duty in 1974 and served 4 more years in the United States Naval Reserve.
He then went to work as a Detroit police officer in 1977, where he was a member of the police unions DPOA and POAM. He got off to a bumpy start because his senior officers did not think he had the heart for police work. He proved them wrong. He worked in Detroit’s Cass corridor area during the late 1970’s. In those years he was exposed to every segment of society. He did everything from being the first responder to homicide scenes to giving traffic citations. On New Year's eve of 1979, he was responsible for saving a citizen’s life when he was dispatched to a shooting call. He gave aid to the victim until EMS arrived and stopped the bleeding from a chest wound that would have proved critical.
Business Career
After completing Law School, Cobbs accepted an entry level position with Xerox Corporation in 1982. Over the Course of his career at Xerox Cobbs held various leadership roles. In 1994 Xerox started the Xerox Professional Services division. Over the next eight years, Cobbs would lead that division from a fledgling startup business with a team of 19 growing it to 2,500 new jobs, which became billion dollar plus industry. Today, what was once Xerox Professional Services is now a stand-alone 10 billion dollar business. Cobbs went on to do a stent with IKON Corp (now RICOH Corp) as Marketplace President in NY, NY. Cobbs took over a business that had been devastated by 9/11 and restored it to a growing market. Cobbs completed his business career as President and CEO of SurfRay A/S a Danish software company headquartered in Copenhagen, Denmark.
Political Amibitions
Further information: Michigan gubernatorial election, 2018
Bill Cobbs is seeking the Democratic nomination for governor of Michigan in the 2018 midterm elections.
Personal Life
Cobbs resides in Farmington Hill, Michigan with his wife of 37 years, Lisa. He is the father of two adult children, Will and Brooke. He has one granddaughter Kennedy.