Mr. Brockett speaking at the Ronald Reagan Presidential Library in Simi Valley, California
Bill Brockett Brings Presidential History to Life
Firsthand White House stories • Memorable lessons in leadership • Humor, Heart, and History
From a U.S. Army draftee to a White House insider, Bill Brockett’s incredible journey brought him face-to-face with history—and the people behind it. He personally witnessed the transition from Richard Nixon to Gerald Ford, trained President Ford’s Golden Retriever, Liberty, became the president's youngest personal advisor at 25, and spent 31 days living in the White House Residence caring for Liberty and her nine puppies.
Today, Bill brings those experiences to audiences through lectures, engaging multimedia presentations, and interviews that reveal the human side of the Nixon and Ford presidencies.
Watch Bill being interviewed at the Reagan Presidential Library
A Speaker Audiences Remember
“Every student evaluated his presentation as a 10 out of 10.”
Kevin Parker, Ph.D.
Faculty, Whitworth University & University of Virginia
Following Bill’s presentation at UVA’s Frank Batten School of Leadership and Public Policy
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“Mr. Brockett’s warmth, humility, and engaging presentation made the evening truly memorable.”
Jonna Boys
Director, Three Forks, Montana Community Library
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A few of the places Bill has given interviews or presentations:
- The 2024 White House Communications Agency Reunion in White Sulfur Springs, Montana
- The Dwight D. Eisenhower Presidential Library in Abilene, Kansas
- Palm Springs Pathfinders, Smoke Tree Ranch, Palm Springs, California
- The Ronald Reagan Presidential Library in Simi Valley, California
- The Richard Nixon Presidential Library docents Brown Bag Lunch in Yorba Linda, California
- The Theodore Roosevelt Presidential Library's 25th anniversary of 9/11 evening program in Medora, North Dakota
- The 2026 White House Communications Agency Reunion in Medora, North Dakota
- The University of Virginia's Frank Batten School of Leadership and Public Policy, Charlottesville, Virginia
- The Senior Center in Hagerman, Idaho
- The Three Forks, Montana Community Library
Pending engagements include:
- The Carter Center in Atlanta, Georgia
- The Gerald R. Ford Presidential Museum in Grand Rapids, Michigan
- The Gerald R. Ford Presidential Library in Ann Arbor, Michigan
- The Rancho Mirage (California) Library and Observatory
Bring History to Life for Your Audience
Inside the Ford White House: An Eyewitness to History
Experience the Nixon-Ford transition, the real facts and emotions surrounding two assassination attempts, and personal moments behind the headlines.
From Draftee to the Oval Office: An Unlikely American Journey
Follow an unexpected path from Army induction to White House service, presidential conversations, and life with Liberty, President Ford's beloved Golden Retriever.
Leadership Behind the Scenes: Lessons from President Gerald Ford
Explore character, humility, trust, and public service through Bill’s personal experiences with President Ford and the First Family.
Invite Bill to speak at your university, high school, library, museum, historical society, veterans organization, or civic event.
Bill's Memoir—The Story Behind the Presentations
Follow the Yellow Line
A Soldier’s Journey from the Selective Service Induction Center to the White House Oval Office
Continue the journey through Bill’s recently published, critically acclaimed memoir, filled with firsthand accounts and over 80 official White House photographs and documents, most never published before, from an extraordinary chapter of American history.
Invite Bill to Speak
Give your audience something they can't get from a history book:
the chance to hear presidential history from someone who was there.
For more information or to request a speaking engagement, Click Here.