Robert Grupp is President and CEO of the Institute for Public Relations. This independent nonprofit foundation bridges the academic and professional communities by focusing solely on supporting public relations research and mainstreaming this knowledge into practice through education. The Institute is located at the University of Florida College of Journalism and Communications.

Grupp, a trustee of the Institute since 2004, has served as a corporate communications executive and public relations consultant for more than 25 years. He has experience working in science-driven businesses and trade associations operating in the United States, Europe and Asia.

Grupp was 2008 president of the International Public Relations Association (IPRA), which consists of 1,000 senior communications professionals in nearly 100 countries. He co-chaired the IPRA Public Relations World Congress in Beijing in November 2008.

Most recently, Grupp was President of Grupp Global Partners LLC, a management consultancy with a strategic focus on corporate communications and international public relations. Previously, he was Vice President of Corporate and Public Affairs at Cephalon, Inc., an international biopharmaceutical company. At Cephalon, he integrated corporate communications and branding, investor relations, media relations, employee communications and product public relations.

Grupp also held leadership positions managing corporate communications at Eli Lilly and Company, directing communications programs to launch innovative medical products and devices. At Dow Corning Corporation, he managed global public relations during the silicone breast implant crisis. At Consumers Energy in Michigan, he directed public affairs initiatives including crisis management and public outreach for the nuclear power industry.

Earlier in his career, Bob served as editor and reporter for daily newspapers in Florida and Illinois, and received a National Headliner Award, one of the oldest and largest national awards recognizing excellence in journalism.

He is a member of the Arthur W. Page Society, an accredited member of the Public Relations Society of America, and founding President of a PRSA mid-Michigan chapter. Grupp has traveled extensively throughout the world lecturing on public diplomacy and global public relations strategy and practice. He received his Bachelor's Degree in journalism and communications from Southern Illinois University-Carbondale.