Robert L. Gordon III facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Robert L. Gordon III
|
|
|---|---|
 |
|
| Born |
Robert Lee Gordon III
March 15, 1957 |
| Nationality | American |
| Education | United States Military Academy, West Point (BS); Princeton (MPA) |
| Alma mater | West Point Princeton |
| Occupation | Executive, technology and services |
| Known for | Deputy Under Secretary of Defense; Deputy Assistant Secretary of Defense (Military Community and Family Policy); Co-founder, Service America; Founding Chair, ServiceNation: Mission Serve; featured speaker on leadership, technology, and service |
| Spouse(s) | Millie Gordon |
| Children | Robert L. Gordon IV Daniel C. Gordon |
| Awards | The Secretary of Defense Medal for Outstanding Public Service, The Franklin Award, Bernard Gill Urban Service-Learning Leadership Award - National Youth Leadership Council, Edward P. Bullard Distinguished Alumnus Award, Princeton University; Rotary’s Distinguished Presidential Citation; honorific Order of Saint Barbara (two awards); Legion of Merit; the Defense Meritorious Service Medal; the Outstanding Volunteer Service Medal |
Robert "Rob" L. Gordon III is a leader who has worked in many different areas. These include government, the military, education, non-profit groups, and technology.
From 2010, Rob Gordon served as the Deputy Under Secretary of Defense for Military Community and Family Policy. He worked under U.S. President Barack Obama. In this role, he helped create policies and programs for military families worldwide. This included supporting 2 million service members, 1.2 million military spouses, and 2 million children.
He also oversaw the Department of Defense school system (DoDEA). This system served about 90,000 students in 194 schools around the world. He helped with education programs for military members and career help for military spouses. He also worked on child development programs and family support services. Rob Gordon worked with leaders in government and other groups to make military families stronger.
During his time, he helped create the Military Spouse Employment Partnership. This program connects military spouses with jobs. It has helped over 120,000 military spouses find work. He also led efforts to improve 160 public schools on military bases. For his important work, he received the Secretary of Defense Medal for Outstanding Public Service.
Today, Rob Gordon is a Senior Strategic Leader for AI and Digital Innovation at DSS. He also used to be the President of Be the Change. This group works to inspire positive changes in American society. He was also a senior leader at City Year. This program helps young adults serve as tutors and mentors in schools.
Rob Gordon was also the first Chair of ServiceNation: Mission Serve. This group helps connect civilian and military organizations. It focuses on issues for veterans, military families, and active-duty service members.
Contents
About Rob Gordon
Early Life and Education
Rob Gordon was born in Richmond, Virginia. His father was an Army officer, and his mother was a schoolteacher. He spent much of his childhood living overseas. He lived in Taiwan and Germany. In Taiwan, he attended the Dominican International School. In Germany, he went to Augsburg American High School.
As a child in a military family, he also lived in New York, Virginia, and Colorado. He finished high school in Colorado Springs in 1975. He later graduated from both West Point and Princeton University.
Military Service
Rob Gordon joined the United States Military Academy at West Point in 1975. He graduated in 1979 and became an officer in the Field Artillery. He went to Ranger School, which is a tough training program. He served in many artillery roles. From 1981 to 1982, he was an aide to General Colin Powell.
After this, he went to the Field Artillery Advanced Course. He was the top graduate there. He then led an artillery company in Germany. Later, he returned to West Point to teach. He earned a master's degree in Public Affairs from Princeton School of Public and International Affairs in 1989.
He taught American Politics at West Point. He also served as a White House Fellowship, working in the Department of Veterans Affairs and the White House. He retired from the Army as a colonel.
Helping Others: Civilian Service
While at West Point, Rob Gordon helped start Service America. This program brought together cadets and AmeriCorps members. They worked as tutors, built homes, and helped with environmental issues. They served in cities across Washington State, Illinois, and Texas.
In 2006, Rob Gordon joined City Year. He helped lead the recruitment and training of young people who served in the program. These young people, aged 17 to 24, worked as tutors and mentors. They also ran after-school programs and led youth leadership activities. He helped create the "Give a Year" program, which now helps City Year alumni get benefits for higher education.
As the first Chair of ServiceNation: Mission Serve, Rob Gordon led a national effort. This effort created partnerships between civilian and military groups. It helped connect these groups to support veterans, military families, and active-duty service members. This initiative started in 2009. First Lady Michelle Obama and Dr. Jill Biden helped launch many of these partnerships. ServiceNation: Mission Serve is now called Got Your 6. It focuses on helping veterans and bridging the gap between civilians and the military.
Throughout his life, he has focused on leadership, strategy, and helping others. From 1992 to 1993, he helped create the AmeriCorps program while at the White House. He also worked as a special assistant to three Secretaries of Veterans Affairs.
Rob Gordon has also studied national service systems in other countries. He was part of a U.S. group that helped Italy improve its national service system in 1997. He also worked with the American Jewish Committee to suggest a new national service plan for the United States in 2006.
He is a member of the French-American Foundation and was part of its Young Leaders Program. He also served as a fellow at the Brookings Institution. He was president of the West Point-Highland Falls Rotary Club. He has received several awards, including Princeton University's Edward P. Bullard Distinguished Alumnus Award. He also received the Bernard Gill Urban Service-Learning Leadership Award.
After leaving government, Rob Gordon moved into the technology field. He was the Chief Strategy Officer at Upskill, a smart glasses software company. He was also the Chief Global Officer of Connected Living.
He has served on several boards, including SeaChange Capital. He was also a Practitioner in Residence at Princeton University's School of Public and International Affairs (SPIA). He advises several technology startups. In 2017, he received the Franklin Award.
