Bobby was born and raised in Levittown, PA and served in the United States Army from October 1989 until he retired from active-duty in November 2010. Bobby held every position within an infantry company from rifleman to first sergeant. Some of Bobby’s duty assignment include Ft. Hunter Liggett, CA; Ft. Stewart, GA; Ft. Hood, TX (2); Ft. Lewis, WA; Camp Hovey, Korea (3), Cadet Command ROTC, University of Central Florida.
Bobby’s deployments include peace keeping and stability operations in Bosnia Herzegovina (97-98) and two Operation Iraqi Freedom deployments in 2004-2005 with C co. 1-9 Infantry, 2nd Brigade Combat Team, 2nd Infantry Division (Ramadi and Al Fallujah Phantom Fury 12-months) and 2006-2007 B co, 1-12 Cavalry Regiment, 3rd Brigade Combat Team, 1st Cavalry Division (15-months, Baqubah, Troop Surge).
Upon retiring, Bobby was recruited by a private contractor to work as a live-fire trainer in Kuwait for U.S. army units prior to moving into Iraq and was later recruited to work for the Program Executive Office for Simulation, Training, and Instrumentation (PEO-STRI) to serve as the training operations manager in Kabul, Afghanistan. After two years overseas, Bobby returned to the Central Florida area and continued his work with PEO-STRI in Research Park as a Subject Matter Expert and later as a Military Analyst for the U.S. Army’s SOF Training Systems, Engagement Skills Trainer Program until January 2016.
In 2012, Bobby published his first book entitled, Battle for Baqubah, Killing Our Way Out. Many of his leadership principles are shared in this book by telling a story of ordinary men performing extraordinary feats under extremely difficult circumstances. His expertise in leadership was acquired significantly through his U.S. military service at home and abroad.
In 2016, Bobby shifted his career towards the healthcare industry, where he now holds the position of director of new hire training and operations for AdventHealth’s Central Florida Division (15 hospitals and growing). Though Bobby’s career is focused on newly hired nurses and other clinical staff, Bobby has maintained his passion for taking care of the troops and giving back to his community through various volunteer programs to include assisting with establishing the Orlando and Daytona Beach Chapters of Team Red, White and Blue and current administrative director for Redemption Community Biker Church in Daytona Beach.
Some of Bobby’s awards and decorations consist of the Combat Infantryman Badge, Expert Infantryman Badge, Master Gunner Badge, Legion of Merit, Bronze Star 1 OLC, Meritorious Service Medal 3 OLC, Army Accommodation Medal 3 OLC, Army Achievement Medal 1 Silver OLC, and Good Conduct Medal. Robert attended the Army’s Advanced and Basic noncommissioned Officers Course, Primary Leadership' Development Course, and the Bradley Master Gunners Course. Bobby also holds a Bachelor’s of Science in Management from the University of Phoenix, AZ.
Bobby is married to Jennifer Colella, and has two daughters Brianna and Abbie, and three grandchildren.
