Bill Sutherland was first elected to the Torrance City Council in June 2006.  He currently serves as chair of the Finance and Governmental Operations and the Armed Forces Day Committees.  He also serves as the voting delegate to the League of California Cities (LA County).  Additionally, he serves as a member of the Community Planning & Design, Public Safety, and Naming of Facilities Commitees.  He also acts as the alternate delegate to the Municipal Area Express Association.

Prior to being elected on the Council, Bill Sutherland served on the Civil Service Commission from 1996 through 2004.

His involvement in the community includes serving as a Little League and Torrance American Baseball Coach, and serving as coach, divisional and regional commissioner for the American Youth Soccer Organization (AYSO).  He has also been a member of Torrance Rotary since 1984 and served as its president from 2000 through 2001.

Bill Sutherland is a business owner, operating Sutherland Painting since 1981.