(Pictured above (L to R): FBI Pittsburgh Community Outreach Specialist Kelly Wesolosky, FBI Pittsburgh Special Agent in Charge Robert Johnson, Robert Barr, Margaret Barr, FBI Pittsburgh Assistant Special Agent in Charge Raymond Duda)
Mr. Robert Barr, Senior Vice President, Challenger, Gray and Christmas, Inc., has been awarded the 2016 Director’s Community Leadership Award by the FBI Pittsburgh Division, presented on April 6, 2017. He receives this distinguished award for his endless dedication and commitment to the FBI Pittsburgh’s Community Outreach Program, and for his decades of endless advocacy for numerous charitable organizations, and to thousands of individuals in the Pittsburgh region.
Mr. Barr was honored locally by the FBI Pittsburgh Division’s employees, and will be honored national by FBI Director James Comey on Friday, April 28, 2017 at FBI Headquarters in Washington, D.C.
This special award, presented on behalf of the Director of the FBI, was formally created in 1990 as a way to annually honor individuals and organizations for their efforts in combating crime, terrorism, drugs, and violence in America.
Rob’s Community Leadership
Mr. Barr completed the FBI Pittsburgh Citizens Academy in April of 2009, and has been extremely active with the Alumni Association, and with the FBI Community Outreach Program for since that time.
Mr. Barr currently serves as President of the Pittsburgh Chapter of the Federal Bureau of Investigation Citizens Academy Alumni Association, and over the past seven years, has worked diligently with the FBI Pittsburgh’s Community Outreach Program, and with the Pittsburgh Chapter of the Alumni Association to promote FBI topical awareness to the public and private sectors of the community, including Human Trafficking, Hate Crimes, Violent Crimes Against Children, Counterintelligence and most recently awareness on the Heroin/Opioid Epidemic. Mr. Barr has also played a key role in coordinating and organizing various private sector executive training functions on these topics throughout the years, to include five annual Human Trafficking Awareness Open House Community Awareness events, with thousands of attendees.
Mr. Barr also is one of the founding members of the FBI Pittsburgh Project H.O.P.E. (Heroin Outreach Prevention and Education Initiative), an FBI Pittsburgh Community Outreach program that has raised awareness with hundreds of Pittsburgh area high school students on the dangers of Heroin and Opioid Use. Mr. Barr has hosted events and teams to advocate for a number of area charities, to include the Special Olympics Law Enforcement Torch Run and Polar Plunge, Pittsburgh Pridefest (LGBT Community), and the VA Homeless Veterans Domiciliary Care Program. Mr. Barr also helped to coordinate a joint venture with the FBI Pittsburgh COP and the Pittsburgh Police to prepare and deliver meals to the poor and the elderly on Thanksgiving Day.
In addition to his association with the Federal Bureau of Investigation, Mr. Barr is a member, sponsor, and participant in the Pittsburgh Vintage Grand Prix benefiting the Autism Society of Pittsburgh and the Allegheny Valley School for Autism.
The Pittsburgh Field Office commends the outstanding community leadership and dedication demonstrated by Mr. Barr, and is honored to be able to present him with this year’s Director’s Community Leadership Award.
The Challenger family is proud of Rob’s achievement and thanks him for his many years of service to his community.
