Mentorship plays a critical role in building strong teams and helping individuals grow within an organization. It creates space for learning, confidence-building, and shared accountability—all essential to long-term success. At Sylvan, mentorship isn’t a formal program or one-time initiative; it’s embedded in how people work together, lead, and support one another every day.
Bill Proctor exemplifies what that culture looks like in practice and the lasting impact it can have on people. He has never viewed mentorship as a title, but as a responsibility—to invest in others, share knowledge, and help teams grow stronger over time. That mindset has shaped careers across the organization.
Building Confidence and Capability
For Craig Savell, Bill’s mentorship wasn’t always loud or formal—but it was constant. Looking back, Craig recalls being influenced just as much by who Bill is as by what he knew.
“From the very beginning, I saw his success in the industry, but more importantly, I saw the kind of man he is,” Craig says. “I knew then that I wanted to grow up to be like him.”
That admiration led to years of conversations, questions, and quiet learning—often without realizing how deeply those moments were shaping Craig’s career.
“He believed I could lead, grow, and succeed long before I fully believed it myself,” Craig shares. “Bill believed in me when I didn’t. He stood by me through the highest highs and the lowest lows of my life—not just as a mentor, but as a true friend.”
Our impact is the one thing we leave behind, and that’s something Bill instilled in Craig from the start, whether he realized it or not.
“Bill’s legacy will live on long after we are gone. It lives in the way he treats people, the relationships he has built, and the culture he created; one rooted in trust, respect and genuine care for others. That legacy is carried forward every single day and will continue to be passed down through generations to come.”
Passing It Forward
Bill’s influence on Kane Hagewood extended far beyond technical training, it shaped both his career and his character. Reflecting on this time together, Kane credits Bill not only refining his skills but helping him grow into the person he is today.
“Bill has been instrumental in my life in many ways. I owe my entire career in this industry to him. Even though he has changed roles and is no longer my boss, he continues to teach and guide me.”
What began as an introduction to the trades evolved into a journey of discovering Kane’s interests and turning them into a career that aligned with his strengths and passions.
“When I started, I didn’t know anything about pipefitting. Bill has taught me so much about this trade that it would be hard to list them all,” Kane says. “He has helped guide me through, from truck driver to pre-apprentice, to apprentice, and throughout the ranks to where I am now [Project Manager / Estimator].”
The lessons Bill passed along didn’t stop at the technical. Kane describes growth that happened both at work and well beyond it.
“Throughout the years, Bill and I have become great friends outside of work. He has taught me about just as much about having fun, living life, being a good person and friend, and life lessons in general, as he has about pipefitting.”
Guided by Example
Todd Wallace’s development was shaped by Bill’s steady example as much as his instruction. Starting at Sylvan in 2006 as a Service Technician and Pipefitter, Todd soon stepped into a Foreman role, with Bill’s mentorship playing a central role in his progression.
“Bill Proctor is one of a kind and words cannot express the gratitude I have for him,” Todd shares. “Bill started teaching me to estimate projects and understand the business part of what we do. We worked together for a solid five years as he poured everything he could possibly teach me on estimating, project management, and running a business. Not only did he have the utmost patience and understanding, but he also led by example.”
Whether it was meeting deadlines or supporting team members, Bill set a pace and standard that shaped how Todd performs today.
“We would have project bid deadlines, and he would always be the first at the office and the last to leave. I strive each day to treat people with dignity and learn something new.”
Learning Through Experience
For Jimmy Cole, Bill Proctor’s mentorship shaped more than his career—it influenced the direction of his entire professional life. What began as working under Bill as an HVAC service technician and construction foreman evolved into a long-term learning relationship built on trust and opportunity.
“I could probably write you a book on Bill Proctor and his influence on him in the past 20+ years,” Jimmy admits. “I worked closely with Bill and gained vast amounts of knowledge about scheduling, manpower, delivery logistics, customer relations, and much more. He taught me how to estimate, manage projects, and how to handle field manpower.”
As their conversations continued, so did new opportunities. The idea of expanding into Knoxville grew from casual discussions to reality in 2018, ultimately becoming the division that exists today.
“Bill has been more than a mentor to me. He saw something in me I didn’t know I possessed, and he encouraged it to come to the surface, allowing me to develop various skills with his teaching at a pace that just worked,” Jimmy says. “He is far more than just my mentor. Without his guidance and instruction, I do not believe I could have developed in the ways that I have over the years.”
Mentorship at Sylvan is built on relationships, trust, and shared responsibility. Bill’s story is a powerful example of how that shows up in practice. When people are supported, challenged, and given the room to grow, the impact extends far beyond any role or title. These connections shape careers, strengthen teams, and reinforce a culture where success is shared, and most importantly, passed forward.