41 Facts About Bob Harlan

Robert Ernest Harlan was born on September 9,1936 and is an American former football executive who served as the president of the Green Bay Packers for 19 years.

Bob Harlan held the titles of chairman of the board and chief executive officer for the Packers.

Bob Harlan was a graduate of Marquette University, where he later served as the Sports Information Director for six years.

In 1989, after the retirement of Robert J Parins, Harlan was elected as the Packers' ninth president, a position he held until 2008.

Bob Harlan became the first team president whose background was primarily in football; all previous presidents of the Packers were local civic leaders or businessmen in the Green Bay, Wisconsin-area.

Bob Harlan led a stock sale and advocated for a county sales tax to raise funds for renovations to Lambeau Field, oversaw the construction of the Don Hutson Center, a new training area next to Lambeau Field, and moved all Packers home games back to Green Bay.

In 2008, Bob Harlan resigned the position of president and CEO and was succeeded by Mark Murphy.

Bob Harlan was born on September 9,1936, in Des Moines, Iowa.

Bob Harlan was a graduate of Dowling Catholic High School in Des Moines in 1954 and then attended Marquette University where he graduated in 1958 with a bachelor's degree in journalism.

Bob Harlan briefly took a position with the United Press service in Milwaukee.

Bob Harlan wrote about a number of topics ranging from sports to current events.

Bob Harlan accepted a position as sports information director for his alma mater, Marquette University, in 1959.

Bob Harlan served in that capacity until 1965, although the years at Marquette were challenging.

In 1966, Bob Harlan accepted a job with the St Louis Cardinals baseball team as the director of community relations.

Bob Harlan started his career with the Green Bay Packers in 1971 as an assistant general manager.

When president Robert J Parins announced his upcoming retirement from the presidency, Harlan was immediately identified as a leading candidate.

Sportswriter Don Langenkamp noted that the election was significant because "Bob Harlan was a product of the system [football] and not a product of the sometimes archaic structure that has served as the Packers' governing body".

On June 5,1989, Bob Harlan was introduced as the ninth president of the Packers.

Immediately, Bob Harlan noted his preference to be hands-on in his approach to the job, so much so that instead of backfilling his old position, he had all department heads just report directly to him.

Bob Harlan, who had always been viewed as nice and professional, cultivated a reputation for being approachable as president.

Bob Harlan had no secretary and answered his own phone calls; he corresponded with fans and Packers shareholders directly.

In 1989, Bob Harlan oversaw a small renovation to Lambeau Field.

In reflecting on his move to Green Bay, Wolf noted that he would not have taken the job without Bob Harlan giving him full control.

The Packers during Bob Harlan's tenure saw continued success, with 13 straight seasons with a winning record, the aforementioned Super Bowl victory, another Super Bowl appearance and numerous playoff appearances.

From a business perspective, Bob Harlan oversaw significant changes to the Packers organization.

The largest business improvement of Bob Harlan's tenure was the renovation of Lambeau Field.

Bob Harlan was instrumental in helping to raise the necessary $295 million for the project.

Additionally, Bob Harlan strongly advocated for the authorization of a new half-cent sales tax for Brown County to help raise the remaining funds.

Bob Harlan, without threatening to move the Packers from Green Bay, conveyed to elected officials, Brown County residents and Packers fans the necessity of the renovations for the Packers to remain financially competitive in the modern NFL environment.

Bob Harlan hired Mike Sherman to succeed Ray Rhodes as head coach in 2000.

Bob Harlan hired Ted Thompson in 2004 as the new general manager, with Sherman staying on as head coach for one more season, after which Mike McCarthy was hired as head coach.

In December 2006, Bob Harlan announced his intended retirement the following May For years, Bob Harlan identified John Jones as a possible successor to the Packers presidency.

Bob Harlan was named as Chairman Emeritus and as of 2023 still sits on the Packers board of directors as a director emeritus.

Bob Harlan married Madeline Keiler and they had three sons, including sports announcer Kevin Bob Harlan.

Bob Harlan's granddaughter through Kevin, Olivia Bob Harlan, is a sports announcer.

In 2003, Bob Harlan was diagnosed with melanoma on his neck and shoulder, which was successfully removed by surgery.

Bob Harlan was an avid golfer for much of his life, although after his treatment for melanoma he mostly abandoned it.

Bob Harlan's tenure saw a significant turnaround in the team's on-field performance and a continued strengthening of the team's institutional and financial security.

Bob Harlan is credited with hiring key personnel, such as Ron Wolf and Ted Thompson, and giving them the authority and freedom necessary to do their jobs successfully.

Bob Harlan has been well recognized for his contributions to the Packers.

Bob Harlan was given the 2008 Vincent Lombardi Award for Distinction in Sports from the Wisconsin Historical Society.