Biography

  "All at once in Seattle, the Final Four became March Madness...Bob Walsh succeeded. Before 1984 the Final Four was a non-event. Now it is a spectacle. brilliantly    -Jim Host, former Director of Marketing NCAA.

 "Everybody knows that Bob has a lot of friends in high places. I think Bob is living proof that dynamite really does come in small packages."  -Ted Turner, Founder and former Chairman, CNN.

www.bobwalsh.org

Learn how to overcome insurmountable odds with a new approach - all from incredible real life stories- with everything from humor to intrigue. Bob will explain how he and Ted Turner, against all odds, helped bring down the Iron Curtain of the Soviet Union with the largest event ever to take place between the USSR and the United States; why the NCAA  credits him with turning the Final Four into March Madness; how he took on the United States Olympic Committee in a David vs Goliath courtcase and won; and how he and Russian cosmonauts, against the wishes of the beaurocratic US government, successfully shot a capsule into space from Russia to the US after orbiting the earth 111 times,  to help promote peace and future space travel.

The event was called "The greatest publicity stunt of the 20th Century" by the New York Times, but it created 50,000 jobs and was the beginning of space travel.

Bob is a great story teller and these are all true stories. He explains how he and a small group of people, event after event, overcame huge obstacles. He will also talk about failure and what happened. You will learn how you can use these examples to help yourself overcome your own obstacles.

Bob began his career in broadcasting, first as Program Director and Producer at RKO General in Boston, then as Program Director of the most successful talk station in the country during the 60's and 70's. He moved to Seattle in 1974 with his friend Hall of Fame NBA player Bill Russell and ran the Seattle Sonics.

Bob was a partner with Ted Turner of CNN in producing the Goodwill Games, the largest arts, sports and cultural event between the USA and the USSR; was Executive Director of several NCAA Men's and Women's basketball Final Fours and Regionals; and has worked on major projects to bring young people from throughout the world together to ease international tensions.

THE ROAD TO WORLD PEACE COMES THROUGH EMPATHY AND COMPASSION!

Learn how an underground railroad, created by Bob and his team, between the Republic of Georgia,  Russia and the United States helped saved the lives children from the Soviet Union and opened up strong relationships between the so-called "enemies" of two countries;  how a new award-winning non-profit organization, created just 7 years ago by one of Bob's employees is giving young Americans, who have historically not had access because of color or economic ability, the opportunity to learn about, and be integegrated into, other cultures, specifically the Middle East and China.

Because of his dedication to bringing people from around the world together in peace, Bob has received the Supreme Soviet Award from USSR President Mikhael Gorbachov, the Honoray Citizen of Georgia Award from President Eduard Shevardnadze, The Martin Luther King, Jr. Award and special recognition from President's Ronald Reagan and George H. W. Bush. 

Author Steve Rudman, in his book "Who the Hell is Bob," wrote: "Bob had never been president or CEO of a major corporation,
did not come from money, had never been elected to public office, or appointed to a position of power. But he had, incongruosly, done things that frankly ranked as astounding. Bob's package of stories served as striking endorsements  of Goethe's thought: "Boldness has genius, power, and magic in it." As Norman Cousins said" "The wild dream is the first step to reality. It is the direction finder by which people locate higher goals and discover their higher selves." "That is Bob."

People who have worked with Bob have gone on to become the President and CEO of  an NBA team; President of USA Gymnastics; VP of Marketing for a European Corporation, Vice President of an NFL team; and hold many other important positions. Bob will tell you why.

Bob is a great story teller. And all the stories are true real life adventures. They don't come from someone else's book or teachings. They include untold stories, many with humor, about celebrities and everyday folks and your audience will learn how ordinary people can do amazing things. Bob brings his stories back around to your audience to show how his experiences and those of people he has worked with, can help them tremendously.

"One of the most fascinating and inspiring speakers I have ever heard. Bob has been the favorite presenter to groups for whom I have ever scheduled him."

-Ralph Bruxos consultant, Seattle

''Some people go through life sitting on the sidelines. Bob Walsh has always been a player, and the world is more interesting as a result.

 -Bill Russell, NBA Hall of Fame Legend and recipient of the US Medal of Freedom Award

"My American friend Bob Walsh played a major role in saving Georgia during our civil war crisis...he was a pioneer, first with his humanitarian activities and then bring investment from the West...more than any other American."                                                   

Edward Shevardnadze, former President, Republic of Georgia

"Bob and I shared the dream of a more peaceful, less violent world. We always had that in common."

Ted Turner

"I have traveled the world with Bob. You will want to hear what he has to say. No one can explain how ordinary people can do anything like Bob

. -Jack McMillan, former Chairman of the Board, Nordstrom

"All of us who know Bob are better off for it. He has a lot of advice to give"

.Lenny Wilkens, NBA 3 time NBA Hall of Fame Coach and Player