Candidate for
Supervisor; County of Ventura; Supervisorial District 1

Deep Roots in Ventura and Ojai: Bob Roper has lived and worked here all his life. He grew up in Ventura and attended Buena HS. His wife, Debbie, attended arch-rival Ventura HS. After 35 years, two daughters and two grandchildren, the Ropers are proof that mixed marriages, Ventura-style, can last! Bob worked for a while in Oxnard, managing a shop that repaired autos and heavy equipment. Soon he wanted to open his own shop. So the Ropers moved to the Ojai Valley, where Bob set up his business and volunteered part-time as a firefighter. Bob and Debbie joined Ojai Valley Presbyterian Church, moved to the City of Ojai, and sent their daughters, Christen and Mindy, to Nordhoff HS. Both girls were athletes, both parents were enthusiastic boosters for all their teams.

Dedicated community Volunteer: As their family grew, Bob and Debbie started volunteering for community organizations and they never stopped + from PTA to 4-H to the American Cancer Society to the Red Cross, where Bob has been especially active. As Chairman of the Red Cross Board, he's worked on issues like emergency preparedness, and helping military families cope with deployment overseas + and returning home.

A Remarkable career in Public service: From the start, Bob thrived as a volunteer firefighter. Bob loved responding to emergencies and helping people. So, in 1980, he joined the Department full time. As he advanced through the ranks, Bob discovered a talent for leadership. He also found time to earn his BS degree in Business Administration. In 1997, Bob was named Ventura County Fire Chief. He was a resounding success in that demanding job. Over the years he introduced many innovations to improve service, protect the environment and balance the budget. By the time he retired, Bob had earned a reputation as one of the nation's very best fire chiefs.