Robert Mathias

Rob is the firm’s managing partner. He leads the firm’s overall management, including client service, operational excellence, and talent development. He brings deep expertise in external relations, strategic communications, and organizational leadership, and is skilled at using communications and advocacy programs to bolster business goals, raise individual and corporate profiles, and achieve public policy objectives.

Prior to joining FTP, Robert served as chief of external affairs at the National Park Foundation (NPF). At NPF, he led the team responsible for government relations, communications, marketing, and corporate partnerships, retooling the organization’s external affairs function to better support its mission and growth. NPF initiatives under Robert’s leadership included congressional passage of landmark conservation legislation, the development of a new NPF brand platform (Wonder Calls), creation of a dedicated social media function, realignment of the corporate partnership program, and the creation of a nationwide advertising campaign. The Foundation raises approximately $100 million per year to protect and enhance the nation’s national parks and connect more people to them.

Earlier in his career, Robert was the president of Ogilvy Washington for 15 years where he was responsible for all aspects of this multi-disciplinary Ogilvy & Mather office, including public relations and public affairs, advertising, and the nation’s leading social marketing practice. Ogilvy Washington’s clients included Fortune 100 companies, industry trade associations, and key federal agencies. Under Robert’s leadership, Ogilvy Washington became the fastest growing and most profitable office across Ogilvy’s global public relations network.

While still responsible for the day-to-day operations of Ogilvy Washington, Robert was appointed North American CEO for Ogilvy Public Relations. In this capacity, Robert managed seven offices across the United States, a nationwide P&L of $150 million, and a team of approximately 500 people. Prior to assuming leadership of the Washington office, Robert served as the head of Ogilvy PR’s San Francisco office.

Robert has also had extensive experience in the federal government, having served in President George H.W. Bush’s (R) administration as the executive assistant to U.S. Energy Secretary James D. Watkins and, subsequently, as deputy assistant secretary at the Department of Energy where he managed an expansive federal budget, career employees, and government programs. Robert has also worked abroad in Saudi Arabia where he was a member of a team that pioneered the development and implementation of a kingdom-wide public health program.

Robert has been recognized as a leader in his field, including induction into the Public Relations Society of America’s National Capital Chapter Hall of Fame and the PRNews Hall of Fame. A native Washingtonian, he is a past chair of the Board of Trustees for the Lab School of Washington and has served on the Board of Trustees of The Yellowstone Park Foundation.