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WithersRavenel’s Bob Chandler is retiring after more than four decades working in both the public and private sectors, including 37 years with the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA).
Bob’s career with USDA started as an intern while he was in college in the 1970s, officially with the Farmers Home Administration (FHA), which was the predecessor to USDA Rural Development. Through different roles and in places throughout the state including Lillington, Gastonia, and Asheville, Bob came to understand grant and loan programs and help farmers and communities. He also served as a judge charged with adjudicating administrative cases appealed to USDA. There were a few other professional jobs he held through the years, but his final role with USDA was as director for Rural Development in North Carolina; under his watch the state was the top producer of loans and grants in the nation, more than $2 billion per year focused on communities with populations less than 50,000.
As he finishes his five-year run with WithersRavenel, Bob enjoys how his work as a business development representative allowed him to help communities in eastern North Carolina successfully complete a range of water, sewer, and other community improvement projects, often through grant and loan consultation that built upon his knowledge and experience through USDA Rural Development.
“On face value, you would think there would be big differences between USDA and the private side,” Bob said. “But I’m still working with small municipalities at WithersRavenel, helping them with planning, funding, and improving their communities.”
Bob has enjoyed getting to work with many team members at WithersRavenel and seeing firsthand how their professional and technical skills help municipalities improve their infrastructure and the lives of their residents.
“I’ve enjoyed meeting with people in towns, finding out what projects they need,” Bob said. “Then I could help them navigate funding possibilities and get them to the right people at WithersRavenel to help get their project moving.”
After moving to the coast about 10 years ago, Bob looks forward to spending a lot of time at the beach, golfing, fishing, and traveling in retirement. His wife of more than 40 years, Diane, had a head start on him in retirement after a long career in business development and marketing for Gaston Country Club and Rock Barn Country Club and Spa.
Bob earned a Bachelor of Science degree in Agricultural Economics from North Carolina State University. He was a volunteer firefighter and EMT for more than 17 years in Gaston County, and he is also a member of the Atlantic Beach Shaggers Hall of Fame. He admits he doesn’t shag dance as often as he used to, though with Myrtle Beach, S.C., being the shag dancing capital of the world, he’ll have opportunities.
WithersRavenel congratulates Bob on his retirement and wishes him well in his future endeavors!