About Kellen
Senior Executives
ROBERT C. GELARDI
Vice Chairman
Bob Gelardi serves as Vice Chairman of the Kellen Company and its Board of Directors as he transitions to his future planned retirement. Bob served as Chairman and Chief Executive Officer from 1996 to 2006. He had previously served as President from 1991 to 2001 and as Executive Vice President from 1976-1991. Mr. Gelardi has extensive marketing, sales, finance, government relations, operations and scientific/technical affairs experience, plus more than 25 years of experience in association management.
Bob has significantly expanded the company, including its meetings management, public relations and related creative and cyber services information activities. Frequently serving as an industry spokesman, Bob has appeared on all major television and radio networks and in print media. He has testified before regulatory agencies, the U.S. Congress and state authorities, has authored numerous journal articles and is co-editor of a book. He has developed and implemented strategic plans on behalf of various client associations. Bob also directs the activities of several client associations.
Prior to joining The Kellen Company, Bob was Vice President/General Manager and Executive Assistant to the Chairman at the Bendix Corporation. He was previously Secretary-Treasurer of the National Alliance of Business and a Division Director with the federal government in Washington, D.C.
Bob earned an undergraduate degree with distinction and honors from Wesleyan University. He also studied at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology and holds an MA from George Washington University. He is former President of the International Association of Association Management Companies, Chairman of the Industry Council of the Center for Exhibition Industry Research, and member of the Board of Directors of the Convention Industry Council, and is a member of the American Society of Association Executives.