He returned to the Navy and received his commission at Naval Station Newport, RI, on February 7, 1986.  As a junior officer, he again reported to the USS Lexington (CV-16) and earned his formal designation as a Surface Warfare Officer (SWO) in 1988.   He piloted this aircraft carrier while conducting flight operations in international waters.  This unique experience to serve as a junior enlisted sailor and then as an officer on the same ship shaped his appreciation for the unique demands placed on service members and their families of all ranks. 

In 1989, he reported to the guided missile cruiser USS Monterey (CG-61), still under construction in Bath, ME.   As the Ordnance and Nuclear Weapons Officer, he was responsible for all weapons and launching systems aboard the ship and organized professional warfare training for all officers.  Moving from the oldest aircraft carrier in the world to the U.S. Navy's newest warship shaped his appreciation for new technologies and the professional development of our armed forces.

He was selected for special duty as a Navy Public Affairs Officer in 1991.  In this role he coordinated internal communications, news media relations and community affairs.  He served as a Navy spokesman at the Pentagon from 1991 to 1992.   He served with the Eisenhower Battle Group as Director of Public Affairs for 13 ships deployed to the Mediterranean Sea and Arabian Gulf.  He then served as Director of Media and Community Relations for the Atlantic Fleet, based in Norfolk, VA.

He earned a masters degree in National Security and Strategic Studies at the U.S. Naval War College in 1998, and reported to Submarine Group TWO in Groton , CT.  Then, as Public Affairs Director for Navy Region Northeast, he coordinated public affairs for all bases in New England, New York and New Jersey .  In his last Navy assignment, he was Director of Public Affairs for the United States Sixth Fleet, based in Gaeta, Italy. 

After retiring from the Navy in 2003 to pursue further public service in municipal and state government, he completed an MPA at UCONN in 2004.  He temporarily moved back to Colorado for two years where he served as an Emergency Manager and City Administrator for the City of Cripple Creek, CO.  Upon his return to Salem, CT, he was elected First Selectman in 2007. 

He was nominated by Governor M. Jodi Rell as Executive Director, Office of Military Affairs on July 3, 2009.

Bob Ross continues to reside in Salem, CT, with his wife Nita, and their children Christopher, Michael, Emily and Joshua.

EDUCATION:

M.A., Public Policy and Administration , University of Connecticut (2004).

M.A., National Security and Strategic Studies, Naval War College Newport , RI (1998).

Certificate, Graduate Studies, Govt. Communication, University of Oklahoma (1997).

B.A. Communication, Bethany College, Bethany, OK (1985).

PERFORMANCE AWARDS:

The LEGION OF MERIT for distinguished public service in European, Middle Eastern, Mediterranean and Black Sea regions.  Three MERITORIOUS SERVICE MEDALS for meritorious service in the Atlantic Fleet.  The NAVY COMMENDATION MEDAL for coordinating public events, including three events with Presidents of the United States.  The ARMY COMMENDATION MEDAL for outstanding performance in Operation Desert Storm.  The JOINT SERVICE ACHIEVEMENT MEDAL for outstanding performance in Operation Restore Democracy.  Two NAVY ACHIEVEMENT MEDALS for superior performance in Naval Surface Warfare, Navigation and Security Operations.

PERSONAL INTERESTS AND CIVIC ACHIEVEMENTS:

Adjunct Professor, Department of Public Policy, UCONN Graduate School (2009).

Adjunct Professor, Public Administration, Eastern Connecticut State University (2008).

UCONN MPA Program Young Distinguished Alumni Award (2008).

Board Member, Southeastern CT Council of Governments, Norwich, CT (2007-2009).

Member, Connecticut Council of Small Towns (2007-2009).

Member, Lions Clubs International, Salem, CT (2007-2009).

Graduate, Leadership Pikes Peak, Colorado Springs, CO (2006).

Commissioner, Charter Commission, Town of Salem, CT (2003-2004).

Lead Organizer, U.S. participation in the 1st Special Olympics in Italy (2001-2002).

Member, Board of Directors, International Naval Review, New York, NY (2000).

Volunteer, Habitat for Humanity, Norfolk, VA (1995-1996).