Robert M. Tobias

Robert M. Tobias retired from American University in 2023 as a Distinguished Practitioner in Residence Emeritus after 23 years. He founded the Institute for the Study of Public Policy Implementation at American University that brought together members of Congress, political appointees, career executives, union leaders, academics, and the consulting community to discuss and attempt to resolve public policy implementation issues. He also founded the Key Executive Leadership Certificate Program targeted to federal employee career leaders challenging good managers to become extraordinary leaders.

Mr. Tobias has served as a member of the Internal Revenue Service Oversight Board since September 2000. The Board has broad strategic and budget oversight responsibility for the Internal Revenue Service. Mr. Tobias was selected by Thomas Ridge, Secretary, Department of Homeland Security (DHS) and Kay Coles James, Director, Office of Personnel Management (OPM) to the Human Resource Management System Senior Review Advisory Committee which is charged with providing options for a new DHS personnel system.

Prior to his work at American University, Mr. Tobias served for 31 years with the National Treasury Employees Union (NTEU) and from 1983-1999 as its President. During his tenure at NTEU, Mr. Tobias was also instrumental in founding the Federal Employee Education and Assistance Fund (FEEA), a charity serving the civilian federal workforce, and served as its President from 1999-2023.

Mr. Tobias is also a frequent contributor to Federal Times, Government Employees Relations Report, and Government Executive magazine on current federal sector public policy implementation issues.