Background
Gates, Walter Edward was born on August 15, 1946 in Glens Falls, New York, United States. Son of William B. and Dawn K. (Preston) Gates.
Gates, Walter Edward was born on August 15, 1946 in Glens Falls, New York, United States. Son of William B. and Dawn K. (Preston) Gates.
Bachelor of Science, State University of New York, Albany, 1968; Master of Education, Boston University, 1972; Master of Business Administration, Harvard University, 1974.
Assistant manager, Wilson Sporting Goods Inc., River Grove, Illinois, 1974-1976; manager, Wilson Sporting Goods Inc., River Grove, 1976-1979; director, Pizza Hut Inc., Wichita, Kansas, 1979; senior director, Pizza Hut Inc., Wichita, 1979-1980; vice president, Pizza Hut Inc., Wichita, 1980-1982; senior vice president, Pizza Hut Inc., Wichita, 1982-1985; executive vice president, Rent-A-Center Inc., Wichita, 1985-1986; president, chief operating officer, Rent-A-Center Inc., Wichita, 1986-1987; president, chief Executive officer, chief operating officer, Rent-A-Center Inc., Wichita, 1987-1992; president, Chief Executive Officer, THORN Americas, 1991; chairman, Chief Executive Officer, THORN Americas, 1992-1996. President, Chief Executive Officer Gates Enterprises, since 1985, chairman, since 1996.
Board of directors Wichita Symphony, 1984-1987, Wichita Children's Theater, 1984-1987. Active Wichita Music Theatre, since 1987, Boy Scouts of America, since 1989. Member Wichita Chamber of Commerce.
Married Toni A. Naren, June 26, 1945. Children: Lindsey Erin, Ryan Walter.