Bob Barber:  

Graduated Wilson in January '58 and in February left Portsmouth for six months Coast Gaurd Reserve training in freezing Cape May, NJ, then aboard Cutter Unimac and then Conn. Attended Virginia Commonwealth University (58-62) finishing with a BS in Advertising. Worked a few years in Norfolk and Portsmouth in advertising with Be-Lo, BMA ADV and WAVY TV. Took position in Lawrenceville in '67 running the Brunswick Times Gazette and the moved to Richmond in '71 as VP of Brand Edmonds Bolio Advertising, Knoxville in '79 as Sr.VP of Lavidge Advertising, back to Richmond in '81 as ExecVP of WFR Media and in '89 formed and became President/CEO/co-Partner of Barber Martin Advertising in Richmond. With business partner Bill Martin (UNC), we grew BMA to 3rd largest agency in Va, three times making the Rising 25 list of fastest-growing privately-held companies in Central VA, twice the Fantastic 50 list of fastest-growing privately-held companies in Virginia and three times the Inc. 500 list of fastest-growing privately-held companies in America. Received top honors as Virginia Entrepreneur of Year, Richmond's Marketplace Integrity Award, Richmond's Ad Person of the Year Award. Company was named Best Places to Work in Richmond. Also honored by the Robert R. Barber College Scholarship Fund sponsored by the Richmond Marketing Association. And in 2010 named with business partner to the Virginia Broadcast Hall of Fame. While full time VP of Brand Edmonds, also adjunct VCU evening college Advertising faculty for 8 years and evening college lecturer for 2 years, grad and under grad, Marketing and Advertising at William & Mary Business School. Married Gayle McKenzie (Churchland HS and VCU BFA in Interior Design in 1963. Two terrific daughters in Richmond. Robin (Occupational Therapist) and Leslie (Spe...Expand for more