Today, he is an icon and his name is a household word. As founder of Famous Amos Cookies in 1975 and father of the gourmet chocolate chip cookie industry, he has used his fame to support educational causes.

Since 1979 Wally has been National Spokesman for Literacy Volunteers of America. He is also a Board Member of the National Center for Family Literacy and Communities in Schools. His latest enterprise, The Uncle Noname Company, has been critically acclaimed by the media and consumers alike as a high quality product.

On the lecture circuit, he addresses audiences at corporations, industry associations and universities with his inspiring "do it" positive attitude.

Wally Amos has been the recipient of many honors and awards. He gave the shirt off his back and his battered Panama hat to the Smithsonian Institution?s Business Americana Collection. Dr. Amos received an Honorary Doctorate in Education from Johnson & Wales University. He has been inducted into the Babson College Academy of Distinguished Entrepreneurs, and he received the Horatio Alger Award, The President?s Award for Entrepreneurial Excellence, and The National Literacy Honors Award.

Wally is also an author. He wrote his autobiography, The Famous Amos Story: The Face That Launched A Thousand Chips, published by Doubleday in 1983. He collaborated with his son, Gregory, on The Power In You: Ten Secret Ingredients To Inner Strength, a hopeful, inspirational book sharing Wally?s philosophy and life experiences, published by Donald I. Fine, in 1988. His book, Man With No Name: Turn Lemons Into Lemonade, published by Aslan press in 1994, tells how Wally lost everything, including his name, and turned adversity into opportunity. Wally?s most recent book is, Watermelon Magic: Seeds of Wisdom, Slices of Life, published in 1996 by Beyond Publishing. In it he uses watermelon as a metaphor for life, sharing his personal path to wisdom, humor, joy and a positive outlook on life.

Over the years, Amos has acted in a number of network sitcoms and appeared on hundreds of interview shows and news programs. He is TV teacher/host of 50 episodes of state-of-the-art programs for adult basic learners that air on PBS stations nationally. He has acted as product spokesman for several prominent corporations, including Hush Puppies, United Airlines and the California Egg Board.

Amos was born in Tallahassee, Florida and lived there with his father and mother until he was twelve. Then, he went to live with his Aunt Della in her Manhattan apartment. As a senior at Food Trades Vocational High School, Wally dropped out to join the Air Force. In the Air Force, he earned his GED High School Equivalency Diploma. That certificate helped change his life. The GED Diploma made him eligible to train at a New York secretarial school after he was honorably discharged from the Air Force.

In every job, Wally always started at the bottom and worked his way to the top. Ultimately, he was hired by the William Morris Talent Agency where he represented Simon & Garfunkle and The Supremes. After years in the entertainment industry, he decided to begin selling what was then a weekend hobby-- chocolate chip cookies.

As they say, "the rest is history." Now, Wally Amos is known by over 150 million Americans. His fame is grounded in quality, substance and a unique, positive mental attitude.

HERE?S WHAT THEY?RE SAYING:

"Once again, you added an element to the conference that no one else could possibly duplicate. There is something about you, Wally, that makes people feel good just having you in the room with them, and you shared yourself so generously with all of us at the LVA conference that we all felt good."
-Beverly Miller, Vice President
Literacy Volunteers of America, Inc.

"I heard so many positive comments about the inspirational message you delivered. In particular, our attendees were impressed by the spirit and closeness you imparted to the group. Yours is a message which needs to be heard more and more frequently and we count ourselves fortunate that you were able to join us. I know it makes my job as a meeting planner that much easier knowing I can count on speakers such as yourself to help make my meetings a success."
-David J. Burch
National Screw Machine Products Association

"The audience loved our talk, which was most appropriate for our celebration of entrepreneurship. You inspired and encouraged them to pursue their visions and goals. I personally appreciate your cooperation and graciousness, especially with the hectic schedule we had planned for you. I hope you enjoyed your time with us as much as we enjoyed getting to know you."
-Jeannine Vanessen, Vice President
Grand Rapids Chamber of Commerce

"You are sensational! My phone has been ringing off the hook with appreciation from my friends here in Las Vegas who had the privilege and pleasure to hear you speak at the Mayor?s prayer Breakfast last week. I am delighted to add my name to the list of your admirers and would like to tell you that there would be no problem to form a Wally Amos Fan Club here in Las Vegas."
-D. Jejan Nidetch
Founder, Weight Watchers
Chairperson Mayor?s Prayer Breakfast

"Your presentations commanded the attention of our students, and many told us how much they enjoyed hearing your message. Our faculty members were equally impressed, and we all walked away thinking that we have the power to overcome any hurdles that get in our way."
-James Cicarell, Dean
Youngstown State University

"Thank you again for the very effective presentation you made to our group. I have received nothing but excellent comments on your participation. Your business and personal philosophy left an indelible mark on us."
-Greg A. Searle, Executive Vice President, Diebold

Topics:
The Cookie Never Crumbles
The Power in You
A Recipe for a Successful Life
Seeds of Wisdom, Slices of Life
Relationships Are Partnerships
Developing the "Can Do" Attitude
Secrets of Entrepreneurial Success
Overcoming Adversity
Adult Illiteracy & School Dropout Prevention

Books:
Man With No Name
The Power In You
Watermelon Magic
The Famous Amos Story: The Face That Launched A Thousand Chips