Educator and administrator Dr. Bob Abene leads the Colleges of Occupational Excellence as Chief Executive Officer. Over the last three decades, Dr. Bob Abene has distinguished himself as uniquely skilled at fundraising, organizational leadership, and research and program development, among other vital executive tasks. In addition, Dr. Bob Abene has evidenced his commitment to students, placing their needs at the heart of his educational mission. Immediately before he joined the Colleges of Occupational Excellence, Dr. Bob Abene served as President of Valdosta Technical College in Valdosta, Georgia. Dr. Bob Abene also spearheaded improvements at Ancilla College, where he raised several million dollars for new Health Science programs, scholarships, and initiatives to assist traditionally underrepresented students. Dr. Bob Abene has also made strong contributions to Marian College, Cardinal Stritch University, the Wisconsin School of Professional Psychology, Barat College, and other institutions. Additional highlights of Dr. Bob Abene’s formidable career in higher education encompass his service to the American College Personnel Association, which awarded him its Special Administrative Service Award in 2001. Dr. Bob Abene also received the Indiana Conference of Higher Education Service Award in 2001 and 2005, and he was awarded the Key to the City in Hahira, Georgia. Dr. Bob Abene is a Fellow of St. Joseph’s College in Rensselaer, Indiana. Dr. Bob Abene has completed extensive professional development and academic training. Dr. Bob Abene holds a Bachelor of Science in Psychology from Loyola University in Chicago, a Master of Arts in Communication Disorders from De Paul University, and a Master of Science in Psychology from the University of St. Francis. Dr. Bob Abene received his Doctor of Education from the Department of Counseling and Higher Education Administration at Loyola University in Chicago.