Bob joined D. W. Simpson & Company in December of 1992. Prior to joining D. W. Simpson, Bob spent nine years in advertising as a senior account executive working on brands for companies such as Miller Brewing Company, R.J. Reynolds, Pizza Hut and Burger King. The Chicago advertising agencies Bob worked for were Tatham-Laird & Kudner; August Bishop & Meier; and Cunningham and Walsh. Bob earned a bachelor's degree in journalism in 1982 from Southern Illinois University and spent a year as a freelance writer before entering advertising. Bob also earned a minor in Spanish, which he continues to speak quite well today. In addition, Bob speaks at local actuarial clubs/affiliations throughout the United States and Europe on the subject of actuarial employment trends, how employers of actuaries can better compete to attract actuarial talent to their companies, and how actuaries can build better communication skills through improvisation. Outside the office, Bob is an improv-comedy actor in Chicago, performing regularly with the Annoyance Theater. He is also a graduate of the Second City Training Center. An avid sports enthusiast, Bob boxes, weightlifts, runs and plays on a couple of softball teams.