Robert Walsh

Bob brings an extensive and varied range of work and volunteer experience to his role as President of FRAY.  He has over 20+ years of working with youth, both disabled and non-disabled.  He believes that the success of our country tomorrow depends upon the quality of our youth today.

An advocate for the disabled and their families, Bob has been the Vice-President of the Family Resource, Information and Education Network for Down Syndrome (FRIENDS) for 19 years. FRIENDS is a non-profit organization that helps families and increases opportunities for individuals with Down Syndrome. 

Bob served for 10 years on the Frederick County Special Education Citizen’s Advisory Committee (SECAC). As Chair or Co-Chair for the last 8 years with SECAC, he worked to improve areas of concern in the Frederick County Public Schools and increase opportunities for students with disabilities. 

He has been active in scouting since 2008 as an Assistant Cubmaster, Assistant Scoutmaster, and Merit Badge Counselor for boys and girls.  Bob was also a Linganore Urbana Youth Athletic Association soccer coach for several years.

Bob currently serves as a Disabilities Awareness Merit Badge Counselor for the Scouting America.  He has organized Disability Awareness events for both the Boy Scouts and Girl Scouts and has provided expertise and materials for Disability Awareness presentations.  He believes by educating tomorrow’s citizens now, the future for individuals with special needs, and those without, will be brighter. 

Before retiring in 2023, he had over 35 years of supervisory experience as the Chief of the Regulatory Affairs Branch at the National Institute on Drug Abuse at the National Institutes of Health. While there Bob was responsible for directing and implementing regulatory strategy for some of the country's most successful anti-addiction medications.  

When he is not actively working, or volunteering, he enjoys spending time with his wife, Patricia, 23-year old twins - daughter Nikki, a child-care assistant who has Down syndrome, and son Bobby, a mechanic, and a large, affectionate Siberian husky, Storm.