Dennis Gilliam was born in Waco, Texas. He attended Waco Public Schools and graduated Magna Cum Laude from the Baylor University School of Business in 1972. After a forty year career in banking where he served as President of several local institutions, Dennis joined the Dunnam & Dunnam law firm as its Escrow Manager. He then served as President of Advance Trust & Life Escrow Services until his retirement in 2015. He continues to serve the company as a director. He has been involved with the Texas Bankers Association, Independent Bankers Association of Texas, Greater Waco Chamber of Commerce, Baylor-Waco Foundation, and the Waco Community Development Corporation.