Robert (Rob) Briggs has dedicated his entire adult life to the success of Akron and Northeast Ohio. Rob has spent his professional career at the law firm of Buckingham, Doolittle & Burroughs, where he has served in every role from partner to CEO to his current role of chairman emeritus. His practice focuses on business, trusts and estates, and nonprofit organizations. He served as President of GAR Foundation from 1996 to 2011 and has held leadership roles at both local and national foundations, guiding organizations through periods of growth and transition.
Rob is currently President and Chief Executive Officer of the James & Vanita Oelschlager Foundation. He serves on the Cleveland Metropolitan School District Board of Education and the boards of Oak Clinic for Multiple Sclerosis and Great Lakes Biomimicry.
He has won numerous awards in law, business, and community work, including the Sir Thomas More Award (2009), the first annual H. Peter Burg Regional Vision Award (2006), and Project Love / Purple America’s Gordon E. Heffern Award for Values, Ethics and Community (2013). Rob is also a recipient of the 2011 GAR Glass Half Full Award, which was created in his honor. The Glass Half Full Award continues to annually recognize a Summit County community leader for inspiring and optimistic nonprofit leadership.
Rob holds a Bachelor of Arts from Duke University and a law degree from The Ohio State University. He holds honorary doctorate degrees from Baldwin Wallace College (2008) and the University of Akron (2012). He was a JAG Officer in the United States Air Force from 1967 to 1970, and his many talents also include being a licensed realtor in Ohio and Michigan.
Rob is married to Alyssa Briggs, founder, President and Chief Executive Officer of STEM Playbook.