91±¬ÁÏÍø

91±¬ÁÏÍø

Bob's journey began when he arrived in Jackson as a 91±¬ÁÏÍø freshman. While at 91±¬ÁÏÍø, Bob developed traits he credits with influencing all subsequent events in his life.

"91±¬ÁÏÍø gave me a chance to meet and interact with some wonderful people," Bob says. "My interests were shaped there."

Upon graduation, Bob was awarded a Rotary Foundation Fellowship to study in Australia, where he continued to see the world and expand his horizons. After returning to 91±¬ÁÏÍø for a tenure as public relations director, Bob joined the U.S. Navy through Officers Candidate School at Newport, Rhode Island.

"I still didn't know what I was going to do with my life after a few years of Navy duty in the Pentagon and in the sixth Fleet of the Mediterranean," Bob recalls. "With the encouragement and support of my wife, Patricia, I decided to augment into the regular navy as a public affairs specialist, and that decision gave me a career that involved working with the press and public."

Navy assignments led Bob and his family to such destinations as Naples, Italy Coronado, California, and Sun Prairie, Wisconsin, where he completed masters degrees in journalism and political science from the University of Wisconsin.

Following a year in Vietnam and more travelling through different oceans and ports, Bob found himself in Washington, D.C., as a civilian appointee of President Ronald Reagan in the White House press office.

"The White House was great," Bob says. "Patricia and I both worked there. President Reagan was a great leader and a warm human being."

Working on national security issues with the National Security Council and later as deputy press secretary for foreign affairs, Bob worked with thousands of White House correspondents and became acquainted with many of the nation's most important media personalities.

"Peter Jennings will still return my phone calls," Bob says.

Bob utilized these relationships with media figures while a senior research fellow at the National Defense University, interviewing Department of Defense reporters for a writing project. These interviews became the basis for The Pentagon Reporters, Bob's book detailing the journalists who cover national defense issues.

"I learned just how much you can get from an unsuspecting news source, something they had been doing to me for years," Bob says.

Bob chats with Caspar Weinberger at the Pentagon during an unveiling ceremony for a portrait of the former Secretary of Defense. Through his work with the Department of Defense and the National Geographic Society, Bob has worked closely with world leaders in government, education and business.

Reflecting on his tenure with the White House, Bob has many fond memories.

"I went through one political campaign, in 1984, and would never want to be in another one," Bob recalls. "The President won that one, and we all had fun. I am most proud to have been part of an administration that held firm on national security issues and set the stage for the end of the cold war."

Bob left the White House in 1987 to join the National Geographic Society staff. Two years later, he was promoted from vice president for communications to senior vice president of the society.

In his present position, Bob's responsibilities include communications with the public, oversight of all business functions for National Geographic and National Geographic Traveler magazine, and supervision of the societyÕs Explorers Hall museum and lectures program.

Just last year, Bob was elected to the society's board of trustees, a group of national leaders from the fields of science, education, law, business, finance, government and public service.

"Bob is a fine leader who knows how to get the best out of people and bring people and resources together to produce positive results," Gilbert M. Grosvenor, president and chairman of the society, said of Bob's election.

Bob shares the society's vision in heightening public awareness of the need for geography education. Since joining the society, Bob has helped the 9.2 million member organization develop an award-winning communications program that has become an $80-million commitment to teacher training and curriculum reform.

Bob's latest challenge lies in helping the National Geographic Society, the world's largest educational and scientific membership institution, make the transition into the 21st century.

"We have been tremendously successful at publishing printed magazines and books, creating television documentaries, and providing educational products," Bob says. "In order to have the resources to carry out our mission of increasing knowledge of our world and all that's in it, we need to understand and deal with everything from changing lifestyles to the world of electronic communications that the Internet heralds."

While focusing on this goal, Bob also emphasizes the National Geographic Society's other primary commitment, to preserve and protect planet earth.

"We know we are about to begin a new millennium," Bob says. "We don't know how long our planet will be able to cope with humanity and its impact on the lands, oceans, and atmosphere we depend on for life."

"National Geographic wants to make people think about conserving our planet for future generations. We are not fanatical advocates for some particular environmental cause, but we believe our members want us to inform them and others about the state of the planet so they can make responsible decisions about preserving it."

While juggling an overwhelming schedule at his Washington office, Bob still maintains his permanent home in Alamo, Tennessee, where he publishes The Crockett Times, a weekly newspaper founded by his father.

"In fact, I am a commuter; working in Washington and spending the weekends in 'God's Country'," Bob says. "My wheel has come full circle, and I spend more time in West Tennessee now than I have at any time since I left here to join the Navy."

Still, despite all of the travels, adventures and accomplishments of the past 40 years, Bob is not quite ready to admit he's found his niche.

"I still don't know what I'm going to do with my life!" Bob declares.

Regardless of his ultimate direction, Bob knows what it takes to achieve goals and sums up his advice to the world very simply: "Have goals. Work hard to accomplish them. Don't forget to enjoy life. And join the National Geographic Society."