Skip to Main Content Skip to Main Navigation Skip to Footer
UNG Logo
  • Info For...
    • Accepted Students
    • Current Students
    • Parents & Family
    • Faculty & Staff
    • Alumni
    • Business & Community
    • International Students
  • Quicklinks
    • Directories
    • myUNG
    • Academic Catalogs
    • Athletics
    • Banner
    • Bookstore
    • Calendars
    • Campuses & Maps
    • Continuing Education
    • D2L
    • Employment / HR
    • IT Service Desk
    • Libraries
    • UNG Foundation
  • Admissions
  • Corps of Cadets
  • Academics
  • Cost & Aid
  • Student Life
  • News & Events
  • Athletics
  • About Us

Find the most up-to-date information on the Presidential Search site.

Where I Lead
  • Faculty & Staff
  • Current Students
  • Alumni
    1. UNG
    2. News & Events
    3. Where I Lead
    4. Alumni

    Rob Fowler

    For Rob Fowler, '81, the CEO and partner of Turner, Wood & Smith Insurance in Gainesville, Georgia, success is a function of valuing what others have to say.

    "Effective leaders are good listeners who seek to understand what's being said," Fowler said. "If ego gets in the way or there's a hidden agenda to leadership, are you really listening?"

    Fowler's experience shows the wisdom of that approach. In 2005, he founded Vision 2030, a coordinated group of volunteers leading long-term initiatives, defined by the citizens, to position Gainesville-Hall County as the most enviable community in Georgia by the year 2030. In his five years as chairman, Vision 2030 received more than 4,000 ideas from residents, many of whom had never been asked what they wanted their community to look like.

    "So many of these efforts came because people dreamed big and we put a plan together," Fowler said.

    He is serving a two-year term as president of the Northeast Georgia Council of the Boy Scouts of America in 2022-23 and was the board chairman for the North Georgia Community Foundation for a two-year term in 2020-21.

    Fowler received the Ralph Cleveland Distinguished Citizen Award and the Silver Beaver Award in 2020 from the Northeast Georgia Council of the Boy Scouts of America. He also earned the 2020 Gainesville/Hall County Man of the Year Award from the Gainesville Rotary Club. He is a 1997 graduate of Leadership Hall County and a 2006 graduate of Leadership Georgia.

    A Distinguished Military Graduate with a degree in political science, Fowler served 10 years in the U. S. Army and Army Reserve in military intelligence. His last military assignment was as commander of the Army Reserve's 212th Heavy Equipment Transportation Company in Chattanooga, Tennessee.

    Fowler was in the Corps of Cadets at the same time as three future generals: retired Lt. Gen. James Terry, '78, retired Lt. Gen. William Burke Garrett, '81, and four-star Gen. Stephen Townsend, '82. The impact of those fellow cadets remains for Fowler, who was a battalion commander and Student Government Association president his senior year.

    "They set a great example, and being in the corps leadership, you wanted to emulate those guys," Fowler said.

    Longtime UNG Dean of Students Mike Hyams also left an indelible mark on Fowler.

    "He never put me off or said he didn't have time. He always made time," Fowler said. "He did so many things. It amazed me how much energy he had. That's carried over to me. He was a leader in so many areas of UNG campus life, and he was my first mentor who played a huge part in my success at UNG."

    He met his wife, Leslie Hester Fowler, '81, at UNG, and they celebrated their 40th anniversary in February 2022.

    "Leslie has played a huge role in my success both at UNG and in my career as she been so supportive and helped me juggle my busy schedule," Fowler said.

    Chase Strickland

    Chase Strickland

    2nd Lt. Chase Strickland, who commissioned and graduated from UNG in May 2015, was ranked the top ROTC cadet in the nation his senior year.
    Courtney Hall

    Courtney Hall

    Courtney Hall helped new students love UNG through orientation and now assists them through her work in Academic Advising.
    Dan Emmett

    Dan Emmett

    UNG alumnus Dan Emmett, '78, said UNG re-emphasized his parents' teachings of honor, discipline, service to one's country, and trying to do your best at everything you attempt.
    Yanet Velazquez

    Yanet Velazquez

    Alumna Yanet Velazquez of Gainesville, Georgia, wanted to become a leader in the Latino community.
    Addyson Albershardt

    Addyson Albershardt

    UNG alumna Addyson Albershardt, '18, knows from experience if you fall off of your bike, you have to get right back on.
    UNG Logo
    • Contact Us
    • Request Information
    • Quick Facts
    • Campus Maps & Directions
    • Student Consumer Information
    • Campus Safety
    • Emergency Information
    • Employment/HR
    • UNG Policies & Procedures
    • UNG Alumni Association
    • UNG Foundation
    • Ethics & Compliance Hotline
    • Human Trafficking Notice
    • Equal Empl. Opportunity

    © 2023 The University System of Georgia and the University of North Georgia.

    UNG follows the section 508 Standards and WCAG 2.0 for web accessibility. If you require this content in another format, please send an email to the ADA Coordinator.

    Use of military-themed imagery does not constitute endorsement by the U.S. Department of Defense.

    • Accreditation
    • Accessibility
    • Privacy Policy
    Establishing Connection...
    AskNigel