FSU PC ENTREPRENEUR LUNCH & LEARN TO HOST BILL CRAMER AND SONS

Florida State University Panama City will host a special edition of the ongoing Entrepreneurship Lunch & Learn on Wednesday, Nov. 12, as instructor Brian Baber welcomes Bill Cramer and his sons Will and Chris from Bill Cramer Chevrolet Cadillac Buick GMC in Panama City.

The Cramers are “the second and third generations of a family whose legacy of leadership and service has shaped business and community life across Bay County,” Baber said. “Together, the Cramers exemplify what it means to combine entrepreneurship, integrity and community investment. Their story offers a rare inside look at how a multi-generational family business continues to evolve and thrive through faith, hard work and shared purpose.”

Bill Cramer is the president and owner of the automotive dealership that bears his name. After earning a law degree from Harvard and clerking for the U.S. Court of Appeals, he entered the automobile business in 1979 and became a Chevrolet dealer in 1986. He also dedicated decades to public service — serving on the Florida College System Foundation, the Gulf Coast State College Foundation and District Board of Trustees, and the Florida Energy Commission, among others. His leadership helped grow local educational endowments from $1.6 million to more than $25 million.

Will Cramer, vice president and CFO of the Cramer dealership, followed in his father’s footsteps in both business and civic life. A graduate of the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, he has been deeply involved in community leadership — serving as chairman of the Bay County Chamber of Commerce, Rotary Club president, and vice chairman of the Northwest Florida Beaches International Airport Authority. 

Chris Cramer, vice president and COO of the family dealership, brings energy and innovation to the enterprise. After earning a degree from the University of Florida, he worked in every department of the dealership before taking on a senior leadership role. He co-founded Panama City Opportunity Fund LLC and Harrison & Luverne, which redevelops homes and commercial properties. 

In 2022, Chris and Will Cramer launched Cramer Marine & Outdoor, now expanding to its second location. 

Baber, MBA, is the Entrepreneur in Residence at FSU PC’s Jim Moran College of Entrepreneurship, specializing in real estate and construction. He leads each Lunch & Learn session in a relaxed conversational style. The discussions are also available on Apple Podcasts and Spotify as part of Baber’s “FSU Panama City Entrepreneurship Lunch and Learn Podcast.” For more details, email bbaber@pc.fsu.edu.

View recordings of the sessions on FSU Panama City’s YouTube channel, YouTube.com/c/FloridaStateUniversityPanamaCity.

Each Lunch & Learn session is from noon to 1:30 p.m. in the Holley Academic Center’s St. Joe Community Foundation Lecture Hall, 4750 Collegiate Drive, Panama City. There is no cost for admission, and a light lunch is provided. The public is invited.

View recordings of the sessions on FSU Panama City’s YouTube channel, YouTube.com/c/FloridaStateUniversityPanamaCity.