A house RESOLUTION

TO EXPRESS THE PROFOUND SORROW OF THE MEMBERS OF THE SOUTH CAROLINA HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES UPON THE PASSING OF Robert E. "Rob" Gregory, Jr., of Landrum, TO CELEBRATE HIS LIFE, AND TO EXTEND THE DEEPEST SYMPATHY TO HIS FAMILY AND MANY FRIENDS.

Whereas, the members of the South Carolina House of Representatives are deeply saddened by the passing of Robert E. "Rob" Gregory, Jr., of Landrum on November 22, 2022; and

Whereas, born in 1942, Rob was the son of the late Ellen and Robert Earl Gregory, Sr. A pillar in the community, in commerce, and in philanthropy, Rob was a transformative leader with an unmatched diverse skill set and a reputation for excellence; and

Whereas, this Greenville native and Wofford College graduate served his country in the United States Marine Corps before graduating from both the University of South Carolina School of Law and Harvard Business School. As a man of faith, he was a member of St. John of the Wilderness Episcopal Church of Tryon; and

Whereas, Rob served as legal assistant to the chief justice of the South Carolina Supreme Court before serving as group vice president and general counsel to Spartan Mills. Rob then served as president of Lee Jean Company and president of VF Corporation, one of the world's largest apparel companies, which owned brands such as Lee, Vanity Fair, Wrangler, Jansport, and many others; and

Whereas, in 1992, he established his own firm, which specialized in financial and operational restructuring, as well as consultancy work for public companies. Clients included Gitano, London Fog, numerous private equity-owned companies, and financial institutions. This work gained Rob national recognition as a leading turnaround specialist. Immediately before his retirement, he served as an operating partner of two multibillion-dollar private equity firms; and

Whereas, during his career, Rob served on the board of directors for six companies listed on the NYSE, as well as sixteen private companies. He also remained actively engaged in numerous religious and charitable organizations throughout the country. In South Carolina alone, he served on the board for the Spoleto Festival and the Charles Lea Center and served as chairman of the Wofford College Board of Trustees and other organizations; and

Whereas, in recognition of his spirit of excellence and dedicated service, Rob received numerous business and community awards, including an honorary Doctor of Laws from Wofford College and the National Humanitarian Award from the government of Israel. In 2021, Rob was presented with the Order of the Palmetto, South Carolina's highest civilian honor; and

Whereas, Rob Gregory leaves to cherish his memory his dear wife, Marie; his children, Scott and Kelly; six grandchildren; and a host of other friends and family members. He will be remembered as a beloved and respected South Carolina leader, one who will be greatly missed. Now, therefore,

Be it resolved by the House of Representatives:

That the members of the South Carolina House of Representatives, by this resolution, express their profound sorrow upon the passing of Robert E. "Rob" Gregory, Jr., of Landrum, celebrate his life, and extend the deepest sympathy to his family and many friends.

Be it further resolved that a copy of this resolution be presented to Mrs. Marie Gregory for the family.

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