Featured Alumni

ROBERT BOBB

The Broad Superintendents Academy Class of 2005
Emergency Financial Manager
Detroit Public Schools

“Throughout my 35-year career as a city administrator, I have managed large cities that face the challenges of complex infrastructures, social problems and at-risk educational systems. The talents and resources of all facets of community, government and business must come together for the success of education. After a career serving the broader needs of the public today, I am ready to focus my experience on the needs of tomorrow.”

In January 2009, Robert Bobb was appointed by Governor Jennifer Granholm as emergency financial manager of Detroit Public Schools, a district with 85,000 students in 172 schools. To cope with a legacy deficit in Detroit Public Schools projected to reach over $305 million, Bobb immediately put in place controls to eliminate fraud, abuse, and waste. He also created a Master Education Plan for 21st Century Teaching and Learning, a Master Long-Term Financial Plan, as well as plans for Safe and Secure Learning Environments, Facilities, and Parent and Community Involvement. In addition, Bobb has: passed a $500 million bond for use of federal stimulus funds to build and modernize schools; led an enrollment drive that exceeded projections by 900 students; and ratified a new reform contract with the teachers union. Previously, Bobb was elected and served for two years as president of the District of Columbia Board of Education. He also served as City Administrator and Deputy Mayor for the District of Columbia and was recognized as the longest-serving African American city manager in the country. Bobb also served as the city manager of Oakland, Calif.; Richmond, Va.; Santa Ana, Calif.; and Kalamazoo, Mich. Bobb is the recipient of the prestigious L.P. Cookingham Award for Career Development from the International City Management Association (ICMA), four ICMA Innovation Awards and the Marks of Excellence Award from the National Forum of Black Public Administrators. Bobb holds a bachelor's degree in political science from Grambling State University in Louisiana and a master's in business from Western Michigan University. Bobb is a graduate of the 2005 class of The Broad Superintendents Academy.