Biography: Rob is known by most as “Rob O.” He has been at NNU for over two decades, working primarily in the Marketing Department and now working in the External Relations Department as the Community and Media Relations Director. Before his time at NNU, he worked in the health and fitness industry as a sales and marketing associate, activities coordinator and manager of multiple clubs in Washington and Idaho. He grew up in Kennewick, Washington, attended Columbia Basin College for one year, then Dana College in Blair, Nebraska. He earned a bachelor’s degree in Recreation—or “organized fun,” as he calls it—22 years later when he finally finished his degree. Dana College closed its doors in 2009 and now he calls NNU his alma mater. A friend invited Rob to come work for NNU, where his wife Gayle worked as the Director of Marketing and Communications. He has worked with almost every department on campus and his fingerprints are in every building. He has announced both men’s and women’s basketball games, getting a front-row seat at games in the GNAC. Rob loves telling the story of NNU, of those who work and attend here and those who have made an impact on NNU and the NNU community. Not only does he enjoy marketing, but he also enjoys working with local community leaders and media partners. 

Rob has two beautiful daughters, Leslie (Gangwer), married to Ben, who both graduated from NNU in 2016, and Robyn, who finished her degree in Social Work in 2020. He just welcomed his first granddaughter, Flo, into the world in 2022. Rob’s home has become a home-away-from-home for many NNU students because of his daughters and his support of the music department (Northwesterners) and the athletic department. They enjoy opening their home as an example of the NNU community and family. Students always know they have a place to hang out and get a home-cooked meal.

Favorite Thing About Working at NNU: Being able to work with all departments across campus, working with the great community leaders in the Valley as well as the local media and announcing the Women’s basketball online.