Summary

As a vice president of public affairs, Rob advises clients on a wide range of policy and government relations matters.

Rob has a long history of working in public safety administration. Prior to joining Taft, he served as Commissioner of the Indiana Department of Correction, a position he was appointed to in 2017 by Indiana Governor Eric J. Holcomb. In this role, he led Indiana’s largest agency with operations of 19 adult facilities, five juvenile facilities, and 10 parole districts statewide. Rob also served as executive director of risk management and security at Ivy Tech Community College, where he was responsible for the safety and security of the Nation’s large college with over 100,000 students and staff at more than 40 campuses statewide. Prior to that, Rob was the director of the Indiana Department of Natural Resources (DNR) for the State of Indiana under Indiana Governors Mitch Daniels and Mike Pence. He was responsible for the stewardship of land, associated regulatory functions, and promoting Indiana’s outdoors. Rob also served as director of the Indiana DNR Division of Law Enforcement, a position he was appointed to by Governor Daniels. Early in his career, he was elected as the youngest Sheriff in the State of Indiana, serving two terms for Clay County, Indiana.

Rob received a Master of Public Administration in Public Policy Analysis from Indiana State University, a Bachelor of Science degree, magna cum laude, in Public Administration from Franklin University, and an Associate of Science degree in Criminal Justice/Police Science from Ivy Tech Community College. He is a part-time adjunct lecturer at Indiana State University in the political science department.

Awards

  • Honoree, Sagamore of the Wabash Award, State of Indiana

All Service Areas

Education

  • Franklin University

    B.S., magna cum laude, Public Administration

  • Indiana State University

    M.P.A., Public Policy Analysis

  • Ivy Tech Community College

    A.S., Criminal Justice/Police Science

Professional Affiliations

  • Indiana State University

    Member, Board of Trustees

  • Indiana Law Enforcement Training Board

    Past Board Member

  • Indiana Natural Resources Commission

    Past Board Member

  • Eric Holcomb for Governor

    Co-Chair, Governor-Elect Eric J. Holcomb Transition Committee

  • Indiana Criminal Justice Institute

    Past Board Member

  • Indiana Sheriff's Association

    Life Member

  • Correctional Leader's Association

    Associate Member

  • Indiana Governor’s Workforce Cabinet

    Past Board Member

Community Involvement

  • Indiana State Museum and Historic Sites

    Past Board Member

  • Indiana Historic Preservation Review Board

    Past Board Chair

  • National Rifle Association

    Life Member

  • Wabash Valley Riverscape

    Board Member

  • You, Yes You Project

    Board Member