Prior to joining the MPAA, he was appointed to the top post at the Screen Actors Guild (SAG), where he served as National Executive Director and Chief Executive Officer from 2001 to 2005. Before joining SAG, Bob served six years (1993-1999) at Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer (MGM), first as Executive Vice President, then as Vice Chairman and member of the Board of Directors. In his capacity as Vice Chairman, he acted as chief operating officer of the organization and oversaw all of its business activities and operations. Between 1985 and 1991, Bob was Executive Vice President and General Counsel, Office of the Chairman of Paramount Pictures.

From 1968 to 1985 and again from 1992 to 1993, Bob practiced law in the Los Angeles office of O'Melveny & Myers, specializing in business litigation and entertainment matters. During the period of 1979 to 1983, he was the partner in charge of the firm's Paris office.

Bob attended San Jose State University where he received a Bachelor of Arts in Public Administration in 1965. In 1968, he was awarded his law degree by Boalt Hall at the University of California in Berkeley, and later studied foreign and comparative law at Columbia University.

Bob is a member of the, Council on Foreign Relations, the Pacific Council on International Policy and the Executive Branch of the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences. He also serves on the boards of several organizations, including Resources Global Professionals and State Net.