Join us to welcome Ronald Robbins this Friday and learn about his work with Backpack Buddies of Metro Atlanta. We'll be live at Le Meridien or join us at https://www.facebook.com/DunwoodyRotary.

Originally from Plainfield, Indiana, David Silver has been in retail and mixed-use property management since graduating from Indiana University in 2006. His work tenure has placed him in 6 states and at 16 different properties, most recently, Perimeter Mall as the Senior General Manager. From value-add commercial properties to ground-up development, he has maintained a successful track record in the industry. .

Backpack Buddies focuses on providing weekend meals for children who need them. Ronald and his wife Samra launched Backpack Buddies at their synagogue in Savannah in 2011. They moved back to Atlanta in 2017 and started Backpack Buddies at Congregation Beth Shalom. They were eventually able to sign 19 other organizations to join the program. 

Ronald Robbins joined Manheim Auctions in August 2000 as Senior Vice President of Marketing and Strategic Planning. Since 2002, he has been a consultant and facilitator/trainer for the Account Management and Customer Strategies department of Manheim. Prior to coming to Manheim, Robbins had worked at Ford Motor Company for 30 years before retiring in May 2000.

Robbins began his career at Ford in 1971 with Ford Division. He held a variety of field sales positions with the division in Atlanta, Seattle, Kansas City, Cleveland and Dallas. He also has held numerous general office positions at Ford Division, including National Business Management Manager from 1983-1984, Light Truck Sales Manager from 1984-1985, and Field Operations Manager from 1987-1988.

He then moved to Lincoln Mercury, where he was Merchandising Manager from November 1988 through November 1990. Robbins next joined Ford Customer Service Division as Midwest Regional Manager, becoming the division’s Customer Service Operations Manager in July 1992. He returned to Ford Division in 1994 as General Fleet Manager, and in August 1995, he was appointed Director of Marketing and Sales for the Company’s Commercial Truck Vehicle Center. In December 1997, he was appointed Director of Ford Investment Enterprises Corporation.

In May 1998 he was appointed Executive Director of Rental, Lease at Remarketing Operations, but shortly thereafter assumed responsibilities for all Commercial Fleet Operations as well. When he retired, he was the Executive Director for North American Fleet, Lease and Remarketing Operations.

Shortly after his retirement, he joined Manheim Auctions as Senior Vice-President of Marketing and Strategic Planning.  After approximately 2 years in that position, he decided to consult for Manheim and spent six years as a consultant to the CEO and teaching courses for the sales personnel at the auctions.

Robbins earned both a Bachelor’s degree in Business Administration and an MBA in Finance from the University of Georgia. He now lives in Atlanta with his spouse, Samra. They have three daughters.