Bob Kirby grew up in Ridgewood, New Jersey and Decatur, Illinois and graduated from the University of Michigan and the Harvard University Graduate School of Business Administration. He was a Lieutenant in the U.S. Navy. He worked for Continental Grain Company and was the CEO of Oroweat Foods Company and Arnold Bakers Inc. He was CEO of the Dairy Division of Borden Inc, Murray Bakery Products, Inc. and Castleberry/Snow’s Brands, Inc.
He was a Director of Merry Land and Development Company, (NYSE), Gibson Greetings, Inc. (NASDAQ) and Community Coffee, Inc. He was on the Executive Committee of the National Food Processors Association, on the Board of the National Dairy Industry Association, the Milk Industry Foundation and of a variety of other industry trade associations. Georgia’s Governor Roy E. Barnes (D.) appointed him as a Trustee of the Georgia Department of Economic Development. He remained as a Trustee in the Administration of Governor Sonny Perdue (R.). He was a Director of Episcopal Day School, Augusta Tomorrow, Inc., The Morris Museum of Art and Springfield Village Park Foundation, Inc. for which he continues as President, in Augusta, Georgia.
Bob joined the Coolidge Foundation in 2008 and was on the Executive Committee, Finance Committee, Lead Gifts Committee and chaired the Strategic Planning Committee. He was elected President of the Board of Trustees in 2009. His wife Jean and he have three children and eight grandchildren and divide their time between Bridgewater, Vermont, Amelia Island, Florida and Augusta, Georgia.