Click Here To Listen Williamson Business 100 Leading African Americans Robert Stokes
Robert “Bob” Stokes moved to middle Tennessee in 2012 as a result of a transfer with Edward Jones where he manages an office in Brentwood. He began his career with Edward Jones in 2008 in Michigan.
Bob began his professional career following graduation from the University of Arkansas at Pine Bluff, where he majored in business administration and minored in military science. As an Army ROTC cadet, Bob was commissioned as a 2nd lieutenant in the U.S. Army and served three years in various capacities. Bob earned his MS degree in business from Central Michigan University while serving in the Army and completed his military service as a captain in the reserve.
Bob began his career in corporate America with the Kendall Healthcare Company, a subsidiary of Colgate. Bob’s first assignment with Kendall was in Kentucky where he spent nine years working in various roles in a two-plant manufacturing site. Bob was later promoted and relocated to Texas as a human resources director for a start-up manufacturing site with operations in Texas and Mexico. After three years in Texas, Bob was promoted to Kendall’s corporate offices in Boston as the human resources lead for the marketing and sales organization. Bob was later named a regional sales manager for the $30M Great Lakes Region and was relocated to Michigan.
After 15 years of employment with Kendall, Bob had an opportunity to work for Ford Motor Company and, subsequently, Visteon, a spin-off company of Ford. Bob worked in various assignments at Ford and Visteon culminating in a role as associate director for business development.
Bob has been active in community service wherever his career has taken him. He is a member of Kappa Alpha Psi Fraternity and has served in various capacities of leadership. Bob is currently serving on the board of the Middle Tennessee YMCA and is an appointed board member of the Nashville Rotary Club.
Bob, and his wife, Delores, are the proud parents of seven adult children, all of whom are college graduates and productive citizens for which they are grateful to God.