Robert Center
Managing Director & CFO, Strategic Growth Opportunities & International
Previously, Bob was the Vice Chairman of Ernst & Young LLP, where he most recently served as the Global Vice Chairman for Japanese Business Services. He was responsible for developing and managing E&Y’s global network of bilingual audit, tax and advisory professionals serving Japanese clients, achieving global market leadership in services to leading Japanese companies and growing revenues from $50 million to $500 million. He served as a Senior Advisory Partner for several Japanese listed companies, and was a member of E&Y’s Global Management Group and Global Practice Council, as well as Ernst & Young LLP’s Management Committee.
Prior to his leadership in Japan, Bob was E&Y’s Global Director for Middle Market Consulting and the Americas Vice Chairman for human resources. In this role, he was responsible for development and execution of the firm’s human resources strategy, personnel policies and procedures, recruitment and retention, training and development, compensation and benefits, diversity and inclusiveness, and alumni relations, among other functions.
Earlier in his career at E&Y, Bob was the Midwest Region Managing Partner, the Strategic Growth Market Managing Partner, a Tax Partner and an audit professional.
Bob holds an MBA from the University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, and a B.A. with distinction from the University of Illinois, Champaign-Urbana. He is a CPA and a member of the American Institute of Certified Public Accountants and the Illinois Society of Certified Public Accountants. He serves as the Vice-Chairman of the board for the Golden Apple Foundation, and also holds board positions for the Japan American Society of Chicago Board, and the University of Illinois CIBER Board. His club memberships include the Economics Club, the Chicago Club, and the Standard Club. He and his wife, Iris reside in the northern suburbs of Chicago.
