"Bill Crutchfield, CEO of Albemarle County-based Crutchfield Corp., carried the Beijing Olympic Torch on May 18 in Hangzhou, China.

“It was one of the most powerful and exciting experiences of my life,” said Crutchfield, a former member of the University of Virginia’s Board of Visitors. “To me the Torch Relay demonstrates how effective the Olympics are at bringing people of different countries together, even though the policies of their respective governments may differ greatly.”

Samsung, one of the Torch Relay sponsors, invited Crutchfield to carry the torch.

“He was selected by Samsung because of his prominence in the industry and his leadership over the years,” said Rick Souder, executive vice president and chief operating officer of Crutchfield Corp.

According to Souder, Crutchfield is one of only three people from the United States chosen by Samsung’s consumer electronics division chosen to carry the torch. Souder added that Crutchfield is also “one of a relatively few non-Chinese” invited to carry the torch.

The torch that Crutchfield carried will be on display today at the Crutchfield store in Rio Hill Shopping Center.

The Olympic opening ceremony is slated for Aug. 8. Several events leading up to the games — including torch ceremonies in the U.S. — have seen protests over China’s policies and human-rights record." (The Daily Progress, May 29, 2008)