Billy Soule joined the staff of Mayor Don Plusquellic in January of 2004 as Assistant to the Mayor for Community Relations after a long career in broadcasting, public relations and community service.

Billy began his broadcast career, while a senior at Pittsburgh’s Westinghouse High School, working the 10PM to 4AM shift at WAMO-FM.

He served in the United States Air Force, in Armed Forces Radio & Television Services, where he trained as a radio and television production specialist. After being honorably discharged, Billy returned to Pittsburgh where he worked a short time with the late Fred Rogers on the Mr. Rogers’ Neighborhood television program.

Later he became an associate-director and then director for WTAE-TV the local ABC affiliate. He was also evening disc jockey at ABC owned rock-oriented KQV and co-host of the last music program to air on the station in 1975.

Billy came to Akron in 1978 to work at WAKR Radio as weekend disc jockey and production assistant.

He moved to WAKC-TV23 in 1983, shortly after the debut of MTV, and was named executive producer and host of all local music video programming. His show was the first and longest-running music video program in Ohio.

He has been awarded more than fifty gold and platinum records for his contributions to the recording industry; and in 1993, he was honored with the Billboard Music Video Award for the best local/regional video show in America. The following year he was inducted into the Broadcasters Hall of Fame.

Billy was also WAKC-TV’s manager of community relations/public affairs and promotions. He worked with most of the non-profit organizations in Akron and Summit County, writing and producing public service spots, and producing and hosting public affairs programming.

For fourteen years he was co-host of the Children’s Miracle Network Telethon and general chairperson and co-founder of the Salvation Army’s Coat for Christmas campaign.

Billy was spokesperson for Akron Children’s Hospital’s Bicycle and Street Safety campaign, producing more than 40 accompanying promotional spots. He also wrote, produced and narrated a series of 50 Adopt A Child and You Can Be A Foster Parent spots for Summit County Children Services.

He has been recognized by many local organizations for his community involvement in Akron and Summit County. Billy received the Martin Luther King Salute to Greatness Award (1989) and the Volunteer Beyond Excellence Award (1995) from the American Red Cross, Summit County Chapter.

He left TV-23 in 1996 to start his own public relations firm and consulted for many local businesses, organizations and government agencies.

He served as marketing advisor and project coordinator for Akron Metropolitan Housing Authority, creating a week-long event, The Urban Showcase of Homes, celebrating the opening of Roulhac Circle, on Akron west side named for retired Akron Municipal Court Judge Joseph Roulhac.

1999 to 2003, Billy served as Catholic Charities’ Summit County project coordinator in its partnership with CGI Consulting in a job placement program where he helped many find employment and new directions in their lives.

He was also marketing advisor to Tri-County Independent Living Center, East Akron Neighborhood Development Corporation, Henry’s Acme Store, and others.