Lunch Lab: Thursday, June 12
When the Storm Hits: Church, Community, and Disaster Recovery

With over four decades of combined military, law enforcement, pastoral, and disaster response experience, Bob brings a wealth of practical knowledge and leadership to the annual conference. A 20-year U.S. Navy veteran (1975–1995), he served in law enforcement, protective services, and as an anti-terrorism specialist. He is also a 1986 graduate of the Chesapeake Public Safety (Police) Academy. Entering ministry in 2002, Bob currently serves as pastor of Mount Pleasant United Methodist Church in Chesapeake, Virginia, on the Coastal Virginia District. Merging faith with action, he has played a central role in disaster response efforts across the region and beyond.

Appointed as Norfolk District Disaster Coordinator from 2004 to 2006 and then as Virginia Conference Disaster Coordinator from 2006 to the present, Bob has coordinated multi-agency responses to natural and human-caused disasters. Notable recovery efforts include the 2011 Gloucester Tornado, Superstorm Sandy in 2012, the 2014 Virginia Tornado outbreak, Hurricane Matthew in 2016, and the 2019 Virginia Beach mass shooting, where he served as the Spiritual and Emotional Care Coordinator.

In addition to state-level leadership, Bob is a past president of Virginia VOAD and currently serves as president of Southeast Virginia Regional VOAD. He has also supported disaster logistics across the Southeastern Jurisdiction’s annual conferences.