Name: Robert (Bob) Allen Cole
Age: 62
Family: Wife, Kathy; son, Blake and his wife, Vickie, and their children, Noah and Bobby; and son, Brett
Education: Florida State University, bachelor of arts degree, cum laude; Phi Beta Kappa, 1974; and FSU College of Law, Juris Doctor, 1977
Admitted to the Bar: 1978, Florida
Employed by: Upchurch Watson White & Max
Field of practice: Mediator, arbitrator and special master
Professional organizations: The Florida Bar; The Jacksonville Bar Association; American Board of Trial Advocates, Jacksonville chapter president, 2001; FLABOTA trial lawyer of the year, 2008, and president, 2010; member of Florida Bar ADR Section and executive council; and Jacksonville Bar ADR Committee chair
Community involvement: March of Dimes, Arlington Little League, Baptist Health Foundation, Arlington United Methodist Church, Jacksonville University Council and Big Brothers Big Sisters of Northeast Florida
How did you become involved?
I got involved in community service through my children. By coaching youth sports, I saw that there was a real need for adult volunteers to get involved in the lives of children. From sports, to church, education, health care and now mentoring, I have tried to make a difference in the lives of our community’s children.
How can someone become become involved?
If you have any interest in mentoring and being an adult friend to a young boy or girl, please call Big Brothers Big Sisters, and they will make it very easy for you to get involved.
What have you learned/achieved through the experience?
That an adult volunteer’s guidance and friendship can really make a difference in the life of a child.
What was the last book you read or are reading?
Just finishing “Bully Pulpit” by Doris Kearns Goodwin and starting “Edge Of Eternity” by Ken Follett.