Bob Rice

Hello fellow Pepper Pike residents! I am honored to serve you as a member of the City Council. I pledge to you to put the needs of our great residents and city above my own—-all the time. "Service before self" is my personal commitment to you and lifetime working motto.

I grew up in Lyndhurst and after graduating from college was commissioned a Second Lieutenant in the Marine Corps. I served as an aviator flying the OV-10 Bronco and EA-6B Prowler, and am a graduate of the Weapons and Tactics Instructor Course (Marine Corps version of Top Gun).  I deployed on four combat tours and had major command twice, my last job on active duty being the Commanding Officer, Marine Corps Base Hawaii, retiring as a Colonel after 29 years in 2011.  After retiring I was hired as the City Manager for Syracuse, Utah (population ~30K). After 2.5 years I was recruited back to the Marine Corps to serve as a senior civilian at the Pentagon overseeing operations for the 25 Marine Corps Installations across the globe. I left the Pentagon in 2020 to be the Director of Operations at Marine Corps Air Station, Cherry Point, NC. I  fully retired in 2024 and moved home, settling in Pepper Pike after 42 years on the road. I am a Public and Municipal Policy expert with specific expertise in all services and functions provided by our great city staff. My executive leadership and management experience is extensive as I have led up to 2100 employees and had budget authority of up to $450M. 

 My priorities to support Pepper Pike:

1. Public Safety. This will always be my highest priority. Our Police, Fire and Emergency Services, along with communications via 911 and dispatch, are superb and I will ensure they remain so.
2. City wide Infrastructure upgrades and maintenance. Sidewalks, roads, septic to sewer, city hall renovations and other projects will require great planning and oversight—-I am committed to leading that oversight.
3. Strong financial management and fiscal discipline. I will help ensure we use your tax dollars effectively and how you, the residents, want those tax dollars executed.  

I graduated from Brush High School in 1978 and received my BS in Aviation Management from Southern Illinois University in 1982. In 2006, I received my MA in International Studies from King's College London, UK, in conjunction with my year long posting at the Royal College of Defence Studies as one of only two American Officers selected for attendance at this prestigious, and most senior, military college in the British Armed Forces. 

I have been married to Carole for 28 years. We have three children, Andrew who lives in Lyndhurst; Savannah and her soon to be husband Lucas who live in Denver;  Cassidy and her husband Dylan who live in Miami. Our family would not be complete without mentioning the most favored member, Nani our awesome Australian Shepherd, who walks me on the Gates Mills Trail and through all the metro parks!

I love all sports, especially football (go Browns), hockey (go Washington Capitals) and NASCAR (go Team Penske). I love walking, hiking, cycling and working out at the gym as I am a lifetime fitness advocate (thank you high school sports and the Marine Corps).  Lastly I am an avid reader and student of history, politics and international affairs.