Bill Montgomery was a marketing entrepreneur and activist who played a pivotal behind-the-scenes role in launching Turning Point USA, one of the most prominent organizations in digital political organizing among young Americans.

Early Career

Marketing and Business Montgomery spent his career in marketing and entrepreneurship. His ventures included work in the newspaper business, where he wrote, edited, and published numerous community newspapers. He also operated The Strand Cafe, a restaurant in the Chicago suburbs.

Activism After retiring from his marketing career, Montgomery became active in Tea Party organizing in the early 2010s. Through this involvement, he connected with a broader network of political activists in the Chicago area.

Founding Turning Point USA

Meeting Charlie Kirk (2012) Montgomery met Charlie Kirk after hearing the then-18-year-old speak at a small event. Impressed by Kirk’s energy and messaging, Montgomery encouraged him to postpone college and pursue full-time political activism. Montgomery served as Kirk’s mentor during the founding period of Turning Point USA.

Organizational Role (2012-2019) Montgomery co-founded Turning Point USA with Kirk in 2012, handling the organizational groundwork including paperwork and early administrative tasks. He served on the organization’s board as secretary and treasurer until spring 2019.

Digital Political Impact

Montgomery’s influence on digital politics includes:

• Identifying and mentoring Charlie Kirk, who built one of the largest digital political organizing operations targeting young Americans
• Providing the organizational foundation for Turning Point USA’s launch and early growth
• Connecting Kirk with activist networks that helped scale the organization
• Supporting the infrastructure behind a digitally-driven political youth movement

Death

Montgomery died on July 28, 2020, at the age of 80, from complications related to COVID-19.