With a long history of service in the City of Tampa, Bob is an Executive Vice President & Principal U.S. Cities Practice for Shumaker Advisors Florida, where he provides communications strategy, public affairs consulting, and business development services across Florida. In his role, he remains focused on economic development opportunities and urban development strategies while working with clients to improve the overall quality of life in the community.
Bob served as the mayor of Tampa from 2011 to 2019, where he led more than 4,300 dedicated and forward-thinking civil servants. As mayor, Bob led Tampa out of the deepest recession since the Great Depression. Facing a $30 million deficit upon taking office, he balanced Tampa's billion-dollar budget for each of his eight years in office and made strategic investments in infrastructure, positioning Tampa to compete with top-tier cities with its culture of inclusiveness, responsiveness, and determination. His considerable public service accomplishments include the following:
- In one of his first acts as mayor, created a diverse panel of local business and community leaders to reshape how City Hall does business
- Spearheaded the development of the Invision Plan—a blueprint for the urban core—and successfully worked with the Obama Administration to secure grant funding to complete the Tampa Riverwalk, which has become a centerpiece of city life and economic development
- Pioneered the establishment of one of Florida's first Domestic Partnership Registries, earning Tampa recognition from the Human Rights Campaign with a perfect score on its Municipal Equality Index
Education
B.A., Political Science, Pennsylvania State University, 1980
Professional Associations
- Tampa Bay Partnership, Housing Affordability Task Force
- Leadership Florida Cornerstone Class Seven, Member
- University of South Florida National Academy of Inventers, Honorary Member
Honors
- American Institute of Architects (AIA) Tampa Bay Award of Excellence, 2012
- Moffitt Momentum Award, Moffitt Cancer Center
- Whatever It Takes (WIT) Tampa Bay International Person of the Year Award, 2014
- Associated Builders & Contractors "Friend of the Free Enterprise Award," 2012
- Florida Bicycle Association and Bike Florida Share the Road Leadership Award, 2014
- CREW Tampa Bay/IP Capital Partners CREW Excellence Award for Civic Leader of the Year, 2014
- Creative Loafing Best of the Bay Local Politician, 2016
- Creative Loafing Local Hero Award, 2014
- Creative Loafing Best Mayor Award, 2018
- YMCA Community Impact Award Community Leader Award, 2015
- Prevent Blindness Person of Vision Award, 2016
- Boys Scouts of America Distinguished Citizen Award, 2018
- University of South Florida Health Morsani College of Medicine's Dean's Award
- Hillsborough River Interlocal Planning Board Hillsborough River Stewardship Award , 2018
- U.S. Conference of Mayors top 2018 award: the 1st Place Large City Livability Award for City of Tampa's Parks & Recreation "Stay and Play Program
- University of South Florida Chairman's Award
- Tampa General Hospital James M. "Red" McEwen Memorial Award; The Gold Shield Foundation Philip A. McNiff Award
- Tampa Downtown Partnership 2018 Annual Urban Excellence Award for Public Sector: