William Gunther is Professor of Economics and Director, Bureau of Business and Economic Research in the College of Business at the University of Southern Mississippi. From 1998-2003, he served as Dean of the College of Business. Prior to coming to USM, he served as associate dean and director of the Center for Business and Economic Research at the University of Alabama. He has published numerous articles and research reports in academic journals and other outlets.

He received a Certificate of Commendation from the State of Alabama for his work on the Governor's Tax Reform Task Force, a Certificate of Distinction from theAssociation of college Honor Societies for his work with the economics honor society and was elected to University of Alabama College of Commerce's Faculty Hall of Fame Association. He was a Fulbright professor to the University of Amazonas (Brazil) and a Summer Faculty Fellow with the U.S. Air Force Office of Scientific Research. He is listed in Who's Who in America and Who's Who in the World. He received his bachelor's (accounting) and master's (economics) degrees from Kent State University (Ohio) and his Ph.D. in economics from the University of Kentucky.