Our Story
Our story weaves through some of the more consequential events of Kentucky political history.
Top: Bob’s grandfather, Keen Johnson, with Presidents JFK and LBJ.
Bottom Left: Bob’s mother meeting Eleanor Roosevelt in the White House.
Bottom Right: Bob’s grandfather, Keen Johnson, riding with President Franklin D. Roosevelt
As the grandson of Kentucky Governor Keen Johnson (1939-1943), Bob and his family have been at the center of political life in Kentucky for many years.
Twice elected statewide to public office in Kentucky as State Auditor (1988-1992) and Secretary of State (1992-1996), Bob has spent a lifetime shaping public policy. Having also served as a key assistant to Kentucky Governor Julian Carroll (1976-1979), a top aide to the former mayor of Lexington, KY, and as an advisor to former University of Kentucky President Otis Singletary, Bob’s experience in the public sector spans decades and traverses all levels of government.
But some of Bob’s most important work has come as the leading lobbyist of Babbage Cofounder. The name “Cofounder” stems from Bob’s visionary efforts to cofound Leadership Kentucky, launch the Hugh O’Brian Youth Leadership program in Kentucky, and help initiate the Lexington Dream Factory, among other programs.
The firm’s accomplishments have come at the federal, state and local levels, and include landmark events such as the 2004 federal jobs act resulting in a $10.1 billion farm provision, critical legislation affecting technology deployment and tax issues, and advocacy for new laws that have led to health advances in diabetes and cancer.
Bob has also been recognized as Kentucky’s “top Frankfort lobbyist” by various media sources including the Lexington Herald-Leader, Louisville Courier-Journal and Huffington Post.
He has been one of the state’s “20 most influential” non-elected leaders by the Louisville Courier-Journal and one of the “Top 40 Kentucky Leaders” by The Lane Report, a leading statewide business magazine.
Bob’s equally accomplished wife, Laura serves on the Board of Regents at Eastern Kentucky University, the alma mater of both Bob and Laura and is the Market Director of Mission for CHI St. Joseph Hospitals. Prior to this role, Laura served as a chaplain at Saint Joseph and University of Kentucky Hospital for over a decade.
Laura’s professional experience has centered around healthcare and includes regional vice president for Women's Health Partners, chief executive officer for Urgent Treatment Centers of Kentucky, practice manager for Health Partners, director of operations/manager for Professional and Ancillary Services at Health America, director of professional relations for Humana Hospital, and as a registered nurse for the University of Kentucky Medical Center.
Top: Bob with President Clinton in front of Air Force One.
Bottom Left Right: Bob and Julie with President George W. Bush
Bottom Right: Julie interviews U.S. Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell.