Robert J. Fisher Explained

Bob Fisher
Birth Name:Robert Joseph Fisher
Birth Date:26 August 1954
Alma Mater:Princeton University (AB)
Stanford University (MBA)
Occupation:Chairman, The Gap Inc.
Spouse:Elizabeth S. Fisher
Children:3
Parents:Donald Fisher
Doris F. Fisher
Family:William S. Fisher (brother)
John J. Fisher (brother)
Nationality:American

Robert Joseph "Bob" Fisher (born August 26, 1954) is an American businessman who is the current chairman of Gap Inc. and has been a director since 1990; he was previously chairman of the board (2004–2007) and interim chief executive officer.[1] The son of Gap Inc. co-founders Donald Fisher and Doris F. Fisher, he has been involved with the company as a board member or employee for over 30 years.

Early life and education

Fisher was born to a Jewish family,[2] is the son of Doris Feigenbaum Fisher and Donald Fisher, the co-founders of Gap, Inc.[3] He has two brothers: William S. Fisher and John J. Fisher. Fisher attended Phillips Exeter Academy[4] and Princeton University, where he received a bachelor's degree. He is also a graduate of the Stanford University School of Business, from which he earned a Master of Business Administration.

Career

Fisher's professional history with the company began when he became a Gap store manager in 1980. Following that, Fisher went to work at the company's corporate headquarters, where his roles increased in responsibility, with hands-on experience as a merchant and executive.

In 1989, Fisher was named president of Banana Republic. In 1990, he became a member of the Board of Directors of Gap Inc., and in 1992, he was named an executive vice president of Gap Inc. From 1993 to 1995, he served as chief financial officer of Gap Inc., at which time he was promoted to chief operating officer of the company. In 1997, he was named president of Gap brand, overseeing the adult, babyGap and GapKids businesses. In 2004, he was chairman of the board of directors.[5]

In November 2019, Fisher replaced Art Peck of Gap Inc, as interim chief executive officer.[6] [7]

Philanthropy

He is chair of the board of the San Francisco Museum of Modern Art.[8]

Environmental work

He is on the board of trustees for Conservation International as a member of the executive committee. He was on the board of the Natural Resources Defense Council[9] for more than 20 years, and is on the organization's honorary board of trustees.

In 2009, he was appointed by Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger as the only public member of the Strategic Growth Council,[10] Fisher was appointed by Governor Jerry Brown in 2014 as vice chair.

Political donations

In 2019, it was revealed that Fisher had donated $1 million to a dark money group in opposition to Barack Obama two months prior to the 2012 presidential election.[11]

Over the past decades, he also has contributed to many Democratic candidates and environmental campaigns.[12]

Personal life

He is married to Elizabeth S. Fisher[13] and they have three children. They live in San Francisco.

Notes and References

  1. Investor information at Gap, Inc. web site
  2. http://www.jweekly.com/article/full/40032/gap-founder-donald-fisher-leaves-stamp-on-community/ The Jewish News Weekly of Northern California: "Gap Founder Donald Fisher Leaves Stamp on Community"
  3. https://www.forbes.com/profile/robert-fisher/ Forbes: The World's Billionaires - Robert Fisher
  4. http://www.sfgate.com/bayarea/article/A-s-NEW-ERA-JOHN-FISHER-Son-of-Gap-founder-is-2719006.php San Francisco Gate: "A's NEW ERA / JOHN FISHER / Son of Gap founder is the money behind the deal" by Todd Wallack
  5. News: Gap's Robert Fisher retires. SFGate. 2018-03-01.
  6. News: Gap CEO Art Peck to Step Down. Kapner. Suzanne. Wall Street Journal. 8 November 2019. en-US. 2019-11-08.
  7. News: Factbox: Gap Goes In-House for New Interim Boss. Reuters. 2019-11-08. The New York Times. 2019-11-08. en-US. 0362-4331.
  8. Web site: Board of Trustees. SFMOMA. en. 2018-03-01.
  9. News: Board of Trustees. NRDC. 2018-03-01. en.
  10. http://sgc.ca.gov/index.php
  11. Web site: At Least 20 Billionaires Behind 'Dark Money' Group That Opposed Obama . Tindera . Michela . October 26, 2019 . Forbes . October 30, 2019.
  12. https://www.campaignmoney.com/advanced.asp?pg=1&searchtype=contributors&cycle1=20&lname=Fisher&fname=Robert&work=&occup=&zipcodes=94188&fdate=&tdate=&state=CA&cycle2=20&cmtetype=&cmtename=&cmteorg=&igc=&cmteparty=&cycle3=20&cndoffice=&cndtype=&cndlname=&cndfname=&cndstate=&cndparty=&orderby=&reccnt=34&recamt=91000
  13. https://www.princeton.edu/main/news/archive/S15/01/40E19/ Princeton University news: "Fisher family funds dormitory for Princeton's Whitman College" by Ruth Stevens