About Robert
Robert Kennedy Jr. is a multifaceted professional with a distinguished background as a naval officer, business leader, and community advocate. His career began in the United States Navy, where he served with honor and gained valuable leadership skills. This experience laid a strong foundation for his subsequent roles in the business world, where he has successfully led various for-profit and non-profit enterprises. Beyond his military and business accomplishments, Robert is deeply committed to community advocacy. He has devoted significant time and energy to supporting numerous causes, from youth development to veteran’s support.
Robert’s Biography
Robert Kennedy, Jr., grew up in Prichard, Alabama. He attended the Greater Morning Star Baptist Church and John S. Shaw High School. After graduating with honors, he left home to attend the United States Naval Academy in Annapolis, Maryland. Upon graduating from the Naval Academy, Robert was stationed in Japan, where he qualified as a Surface Warfare Officer on an amphibious transport dock, and in Singapore, where he served as the Officer-In-Charge of the Military Department on a combat oiler. Robert spent nine years on active duty in the United States Navy and completed overseas deployments in the Asia Pacific and Arabian Gulf operating areas.
After completing his military service, Robert entered Duke University’s Fuqua School of Business, where, on the first day of classes, he met his future wife, Aqualyn Laury Kennedy. Upon graduating from Duke, Robert launched his civilian career in the casino industry and transitioned into the retail industry. During his time in the corporate environment, he held marketing and e-Commerce leadership positions at Harrah’s Entertainment, Toys”R”Us, Sears Holding Company, and Bio-Rad Laboratories.
After 30 years of traveling across the country and around the world, Robert returned to South Alabama and served as the Chief Marketing Officer for Brett/Robinson Vacation Rentals in Gulf Shores, Alabama. In this role, he was responsible for the strategic planning and tactical execution of marketing, sales, and call center programs that grew revenue for the company.
Most recently, Robert served as the Chief Executive Officer for the Boys & Girls Clubs of South Alabama and P.O.I.N.T.E. Academy, LLC. In this role, he led a team of 115 youth development professionals who provided services to over 2,500 children at 9 year-round and 7 summer-only locations in Mobile and Baldwin Counties (Alabama).
Robert holds a Bachelor of Science in Political Science from the United States Naval Academy, a Master of Science in Leadership & Human Resource Development from the Naval Postgraduate School, and a Master of Business Administration from Duke University, The Fuqua School of Business.
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