“Bill provides proven expertise as well as a unique and valuable perspective to Houghton Mifflin Harcourt,” said Barry O’Callaghan, CEO of Houghton Mifflin Harcourt. “His experience reflects a deep understanding of both business and educational considerations. Additionally, his Tennessee roots support our continued commitment to the state as a partner in improving education.”

Hagerty is affiliated with Hagerty, Peterson and Company, LLC, a private equity advisory firm, where he has served in Executive, Advisory and Fiduciary capacities for both publicly-traded and privately-held corporations. He is also a partner in Tennessee Community Ventures, LLC, one of the Bredesen Administration’s TNinveso Venture Partnerships.

Previously, Hagerty was affiliated with Trident Capital, L.P., a private equity investment firm. During his tenure he conducted the initial due diligence and co-invested with Trident in the lift-out from RR Donnelley of the mapping division of Donnelley’s textbook operations — which subsequently became the popular internet site, Mapquest, which was later acquired by AOL Time Warner.

“I am thrilled to join Houghton Mifflin Harcourt and lend leadership to their critical efforts to transform education for our students and provide the very best curriculum and breakthrough educational content,” said Hagerty.

Presently, Hagerty serves as Advisor and a Mid-State Finance Leader for 2010 Gubernatorial Candidate Bill Haslam. Until January 2008, Hagerty served as CEO of Lehman Brothers’ Asian Asset Management platform, ALAM. In the 2008 presidential election, he served as National Finance Chairman for Mitt Romney.

Previously, Hagerty served on the White House Domestic Policy staff as Chief Economist of the President’s Council on Competitiveness. His responsibilities on the Council included matters related to international trade, finance, telecommunications, technology and defense procurement. While on the Council, Hagerty focused substantial effort on regulatory reform. Prior to this assignment, he served as a White House Fellow on the staff of the Vice President.

“Adding Bill’s vision and expertise to a world-class team further solidifies Houghton Mifflin Harcourt’s position as the industry leader,” said Eugene Davis, Chairman of the Board for Houghton Mifflin Harcourt. “His vision will continue to grow HMH as an innovator and leader in twenty-first-century education.”

Hagerty has served on the Boards of Birch Telecom, one of the nation’s largest competitive exchange carriers; CyMed, Inc as founder and Co-Chairman of the nation’s third-largest medical records company; NEW Customer Services Company, as Vice-Chairman of the nation’s largest electronics warranty administrator (now merged into Tennessee-based NEW Asurion); home entertainment retailer, Sound Advice; and as lead investor and Board member for WisdomTools — a tech transfer platform from the University of Indiana Department of Education, which subsequently merged into Information in Place.

Hagerty graduated Phi Beta Kappa from Vanderbilt University with a degree in Economics. He later went on to Vanderbilt Law School as a Wilson Scholar.