faculty
(USA, Retired, USMA 1969)
Expertise
Learning from Ronald Reagan and famous military leaders, culture building, coaching
Experience
After 13 years as president of the University of St. Thomas in Houston, Bob now serves as the president emeritus. He came to Houston after retiring as a major general with 34 years of service to our nation. During his Army career, Bob was fortunate to serve in a wide array of challenging assignments. As a 1969 graduate of the U.S. Military Academy, he fought in Vietnam where he was awarded the Bronze Star for Valor and the Purple Heart for wounds received in action. He went on to command armored cavalry units from platoon to regiment. He completed overseas tours in Vietnam, Kuwait, Saudi Arabia, and Germany.
Bob observed firsthand the leadership of the President of the United States from 1984-1986 as the Army Aide. In this assignment, he carried the “football” for Ronald Reagan and witnessed the unfolding of global events. His final assignment as the Commandant of the Army War College offered him a wide interaction with corporate CEOs and business school faculty engaged in leader development and change management. Bob has given presentations on leadership and his insights on President Reagan to over 100 corporate conferences, civic luncheons, and business school seminars. In the past, he served on the board of directors for the Mutual of America Capital Management LLC and Allegiance Bancshares of Houston.
Publications/Awards/Certifications
Bob has received the Ellis Island Medal of Freedom, the Humanitarian Award from the Chapel of Four Chaplains, the Americanism Award from the Daughters of the American Revolution, the George Washington Award for Distinguished Service from the Sons of the American Revolution, the Director’s Award from the United States Secret Service, and the Admiral Thomas J. Hamilton Award for Leadership. The Republic of Hungary awarded him the Officer’s Cross, Order of Merit, and the American Hungarian Foundation presented Bob the George Washington Award. In 2017, Pope Francis bestowed on him the “Pro Ecclesia et Pontifice” medal. His article “From Success to Significance” appeared in the summer 2014 edition of Leader to Leader and his chapter on developing leaders was published in “Leading Organizations: From the Inside Out”. Bob’s recent articles include “The US Army’s Secret to Building a Leader-Driven, Learning Culture: After Action Reviews”, in Chief Executive, and “Empathy: The Cornerstone of Leadership” in the summer 2019 issue of Leader to Leader. Bob completed several coaching and leader development programs including: Initial Certification in Marshall Goldsmith Behavioral Coaching, FMI’s Leadership Institute’s Continuing Education Program, and the University of Michigan Business School’s Leadership Workshops.
Education
Ph.D., Modern European History, University of Wisconsin, Madison, WI
M.A., Modern European History, University of Wisconsin, Madison, WI
B.S., United States Military Academy, West Point, NY
Organizations
Board for the Duchesne Academy of the Sacred Heart
Board for the Military Child Education Coalition
