Terry Bish: Advance Work Leads to Advanced Planning

Terry Bish first met then-Governor Bill Clinton in 1988 in Fayetteville on the University of Arkansas campus while part of the advance team for vice presidential candidate Lloyd Bentsen. "No offense to the late Senator, but like the enthusiastic students who were gathered that afternoon, I was more enamored with this young, dynamic governor I was assigned to staff for the event." And so began a friendship that has endured for more than 30 years.

After the '88 campaign, Terry attended graduate school and worked in the Middle East for a few years, all the while continuing to follow news about the governor, hoping he would run for president. After returning to the United States, Terry made his interest known by writing letters to the governor's office. "And then one day in October 1991, I received a call asking if I could come to New Hampshire to be part of the advance team and assist with the campaign. I did so enthusiastically, and I stayed with the campaign through the inauguration." (Advance teams are responsible for making sure campaign events come off without a hitch.)

Terry would later be asked to join the Clinton administration as White House Liaison to the U.S. Department of the Interior, where he served for eight years. "President Clinton has always said that Americans need more opportunity. Well, he gave me an opportunity, and I am forever grateful." Terry later went on to work for the Natural Resources Conservation Service in the U.S. Department of Agriculture, from which he retired in 2020, ending a more than 28-year tenure in public service.

"The Clintons have been such an inspiration to me personally and professionally. Their lifelong commitment to public service is remarkable. They just never quit. And I can think of no better place to benefit from my life's work than the Clinton Foundation," Terry says.

"I remember President Clinton speaking on the campaign trail and as president about how we have more yesterdays than tomorrows—and how that motivates him to make the most of every day. For me, I'm choosing to make the most of today and tomorrow by giving back and planning for my estate to benefit those things that matter to me. That includes my bequest to the Clinton Foundation. I have been a monthly donor for many years, and to me, this is just a natural extension of that commitment."

Enjoying his retirement and traveling whenever he can, Terry says he cherishes the countless memories of his time with President Clinton. "He understands the challenges we face today, and has an incredible capacity for vision and a determination to affect change in practical, meaningful ways, including building and sustaining partnerships here and around the world. President Clinton inspires me, and I always learn something new from him. I'm grateful to President Clinton and Secretary Clinton for their ongoing commitment to making the world a better place. I trust the Foundation to keep doing good, important work for generations to come."

Ibarra now leads the Ibarra Strategy Group, a government relations and public affairs firm based in Washington, D.C. he founded. He also runs the Latino Leaders Network, a philanthropy that honors individuals who are making a positive impact on Latinos in the United States.

“I wanted to find a way that I could continue to engage with our Latino leaders after my time at the White House."

On continuing to give back to the Clinton Foundation through planned giving, he notes: "I'll never live long enough to fully thank and express my gratitude to President Clinton for all that he's done for the country and providing me the opportunity to assist him at the White House. To be there, at his side he continues, “I am so grateful to be in a position to be able to offer my support to the Clinton Foundation long after I'm gone."