William D. McGowan was an influential American businessman and entrepreneur, best known for his role in the telecommunications industry. He served as the CEO of MCI Communications Corporation, where he played a pivotal role in transforming the company into a major competitor in the long-distance telephone market during the 1980s. McGowan was recognized for his innovative approach and commitment to breaking the monopoly of AT&T. His leadership helped pave the way for increased competition and lower prices in the telecommunications sector, significantly impacting how people communicated across the United States.