NASHVILLE, TN, January 14, 2025 /24-7PressRelease/ -- Samuel H. "Bo" Roberts, Jr. of Nashville has been selected for inclusion in the most recent edition of Marquis Who's Who. As with each of the publisher's biographical volumes, the individuals profiled are chosen based on factors like position, noteworthy achievements, visibility, and prominence in a field. All categories are reviewed during the selection process.
Mr. Roberts has enjoyed a distinguished career in organizational leadership and journalism spanning more than six decades. As the owner and managing partner of Nashville's Roberts Strategies LLC, he is a well-known senior management consultant who advises clients in the tourism, political and sports sectors. He is also a noted author and speaker, as well as a regular opinion page contributor about significant issues-of-the-day.
Early in his career, Mr. Roberts developed a great respect for the field of journalism and its ability to help protect the American people from tyranny. When he was named to lead two award-winning Southern weeklies in the mid-sixties, he became the youngest newspaper editor in the country. The spirited editorials he penned during his tenure soon led to a direct confrontation with the notorious white supremacists, the Ku Klux Klan. A band of the hooded conspirators burnt a cross in Mr. Roberts' front yard late one night before later defaming him with a story on the front page of their aptly named publication, "The Fiery Cross." When they couldn't intimidate Mr. Roberts or bully the townspeople into concurring with their racist beliefs, the KKK folded its white sheets and moved on.
A decade later, Mr. Roberts would embark on an exhilarating, seven-year journey that regularly required the kind of blind faith and bold determination that successfully saw him through some harrowing days in the news business. As president and the youngest-ever chief executive officer of the 1982 World's Fair in Knoxville, TN, Mr. Roberts took the helm of an international extravaganza that would continue to transform the city's culture for years to come. Supported by an impressive bi-partisan coalition of both political and business interests, Mr. Roberts was responsible for the Fair's multi-faceted operation with its 16,000 employees, while also directing the event's massive marketing campaign and the crucial advance ticket sales initiative. He led the six-month endeavor as it became the most successful Special Category Exposition in American history. Knoxville's 184-day event surpassed Seattle, San Antonio, Spokane, and New Orleans with more participating nations and more than 11.3 million visits, exceeding every expectation.
Mr. Roberts' leadership skills were also honed as the youngest-ever vice president of the University of Tennessee, where he contributed to the institution's growth and development and led the establishment of the Institute for Public Service.
Mr. Roberts also held a notable position as a cabinet-level chief of staff for a Tennessee governor, marking an important milestone as the youngest to occupy that office. In this role, he was instrumental in shaping policy while also advising elected officials about critical legislative issues. He previously served as a partner at a premier Nashville communications and publishing company.
To wit, Mr. Roberts is a celebrated author whose publications include his first book, "Forever Young," and his most recent book, "Flaming Moderate: A Riveting Journey and Quest to Save Democracy." "Forever Young" offers an engaging look at the author's formidable career challenges and accomplishments with a call to action to inspire others to conjure a better future. His latest book, "Flaming Moderate," demonstrates his influential voice in contemporary political discourse and encourages political leaders to commit their efforts to democratic systems.
Throughout his career, Mr. Roberts has been recognized for his achievements and contributions. Most recently, in 2024, the Tennessee Legislature passed House Joint Resolution No. 917, citing his accomplishments and published works, while noting his impact on journalism. He was also honored by the East Tennessee Historical Society in 2024 for his dedication to celebrating, documenting, and preserving history through his work.
Mr. Roberts' educational background laid a solid foundation for his professional success as did his service in the United States Air Force. He earned a Bachelor of Science in journalism, with honors, from the University of Tennessee (UT), where he acquired the skills for a career in media. He received UT's Ernie Pyle Memorial Award, the Sigma Delta Chi Award, and the Edward J. Meeman Foundation Award for editorial writing. Most recently, he was the recipient of an Outstanding Advocate Award from the UT Alumni Association.
Beyond his professional endeavors, Mr. Roberts has been actively involved in many civic organizations in both Middle and East Tennessee. As an advisor, he assisted in establishing the Ollie Otter Child Safety Foundation, which has reached more than 1.3 million students with its vital message about seatbelts and automotive safety. Other civic appointments include tenures on the National Governors' Conference Committee on State-Urban Relations and the Tennessee Commission on Intergovernmental Affairs. Mr. Roberts is a past co-chair of the Appalachian Regional Commission and a past chairman of the Tennessee State Fair Commission. He has served on the board of the Nashville Sports Council for more than 30 years.
A partial list of Mr. Roberts' current client roster includes the Music City Bowl, Tennessee Technological University, the Tennessee Road Builders Association Foundation (sponsor of the Ollie Otter program), and a major international art
concern.
Mr. Roberts resides in Nashville with his wife, Leigh Hendry, who often serves as his editor.
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