Bob Wehling likes to be known first and foremost as a grandfather of 23, a father of six wonderful ladies and a husband to Carolyn.
Born in Chicago, he graduated from Denison University in 1960 and immediately joined Procter & Gamble in Cincinnati, Ohio. Except for three years in the U.S. Air Force, he spent his entire career at P&G, retiring after 41 years in 2001. He worked in a variety of marketing, public relations, government relations and foundation positions. He was elected a senior vice president in 1994 and his last position was global marketing and government relations officer.
Wehling has been actively involved in education and children's issues at the local, state and national level for over 39 years. These activities range from serving as president of a local board of education to the founding of the Cincinnati chapter of the Children's Defense Fund. He co-founded a statewide business/education coalition in Ohio. Many of his efforts relate to quality teaching. He serves on the National Commission for Teaching and America's Future and was vice chairman of the National Board for Professional Teaching Standards until retiring in 2003.
He is currently serving as senior adviser and board of directors member for the James B. Hunt Jr. Institute for Educational Leadership and Policy Development. The institute is committed to ensuring that all politicians of all parties in all states have the latest and best data and research available to them as they frame policies for education and early childhood programs.
Bob Wehling is also currently serving as chairman of Common Sense Media. This group provides parents across the United States with the best, most objective reviews on movies, television shows and video games so they can make appropriate decisions for themselves and their families.
While Wehling was at Procter & Gamble, he worked with Andrea Alstrup of Johnson & Johnson to found the Family Friendly Television Forum. This group, which now includes over 40 major advertisers, has been working to help ensure that families have more good options for programs to watch together, especially in the early primetime hours.
Until recently, Wehling served as co-chair of the Ad Council's Advisory Committee on new campaigns. He continues to serve as a member of this committee.
Bob and Carolyn Wehling reside at Riverview Farm in Augusta, Ky., where Carolyn raises Tennessee walking horses.