Roswell Rotary is proud to welcome this week’s speaker on Thursday, October 9, Robert E. “Bob” Hope, an accomplished businessman, author, philanthropist, and lifelong Rotarian whose career reads like a highlight reel of American sports and media history.

Bob Hope began his journey in public relations while still in college, joining the Atlanta Braves and quickly rising to become the team’s Director of PR and Promotions at just 24. By 25, he was managing the Major League Baseball All-Star Game, and by 29, he was Vice President under Ted Turner, working across the Braves, the Hawks, and Turner Broadcasting. He was also at Hank Aaron’s side during the legendary chase to break Babe Ruth’s home run record, a moment etched in baseball lore.

His career later took him to The Coca-Cola Company, where he helped shape Olympic marketing efforts, and eventually to New York, where he held a top role at the world’s largest PR firm. Today, he is co-owner and president of Hope-Beckham Inc., a leading public relations and event marketing agency whose clients have included the Chick-fil-A Foundation, The Coca-Cola Company, Belk's, Turner Broadcasting, Home Depot, Southern Company, Comcast, and numerous sports leagues and nonprofits.

Bob is also a published author of two books:

• We Could Have Finished Last Without You  -  a humorous look at his early Braves days, and

• Greater Late Than Never  - celebrating individuals who found success after age 50.

Beyond business, Bob has made a lasting impact in sports advocacy. He founded the Colorado Silver Bullets, a professional women’s baseball team, and served 14 years on the board of Billie Jean King’s Women’s Sports Foundation, including six years as the only male on its executive committee.  He is the past winner of the President's Award for work in support of opportunities for girls and women in sports.  His list of accomplishments goes on including:

-Organizer of an annual trip of 50 to build schools and other projects in rural Honduras
-Named "Most Admired CEO"
-Listed as one of the 100 Most Influential Atlantans
-Listed as one of the 500 Most Influential Georgians "Living Legend"
-Listed as one of the Most Powerful Atlantans "Business Legend"
-Inducted into the Georgia Relations Hall of Fame
-Named Atlanta "Father of the Year"
-Named District "Rotarian of the Year"
-Rotary International "Service Above Self" winner
-Women's Sports Foundation President's Award
-Inducted into the Atlanta Hospitality Hall of Fame
-Received the Distinguished Service Award of the Atlanta Business League
-Received the Richard Stormont Hospitality Award
-Vice Chair and Emcee of Rotary International Convention
-Founder of HAVE Foundation

Join us this week to hear Bob’s reflections on leadership, legacy, and the power of storytelling in shaping public perception and community impact. His journey is a testament to the value of bold ideas, lifelong learning, and service above self.