Dissertation: "Testing public service motivation theory and police work behavior"

Bio: Robert Elliott is an author, consultant, and public speaker. As a resiliency advocate, he works with public service, non-profit, and education leaders to empower the workforce and leadership teams by parsing data on employer assumptions and employee perceptions to enhance trust, respect, and a collaborative environment. Following public sector careers as a state trooper, army officer, and college professor, he earned a doctorate, started a business, and wrote a memoir about his service in Iraq. Citizen Soldier From the Land of Lincoln to Iraq and Back debuted as an Amazon #1 new release in Iraq War History.

Relevant Professional Experience: Robert advanced through positions of increased responsibility, reaching the rank of captain and one of 21 state police district commanders. Robert also served as an army officer for 20 years. The military service included supporting public sector officials, other nations’ militaries, NGOs, volunteer groups, and local, state, and federal officials, spanning numerous assignments. Training with the Honduran military in 1992, state active duty during the 1993 flooding in Illinois, training with the Polish army in 1997, and deploying for a year to the Middle East in 2004 are examples. Serving as a major with the only US unit embedded in a multi-national division of 21 nations provided a unique exposure to different cultures, backgrounds, and perspectives. Also, as an Illinois professional emergency manager, he worked with state and local officials in responses to 20 presidential-declared disasters, including Hurricanes Ike in Louisiana and Sandy in New York. As an educator for over 18 years, Robert taught numerous public safety classes to more than 1,000 college students.

Research Interests: Public service motivation, organizational citizenship behaviors, human resource policy, and organizational commitment.  

Honors and Awards: State police awards for Illinois crime analysis, tactical team responses, and disaster responses. Military awards for humanitarian service, meritorious service, leadership, and overseas duty.

Professional Affiliations: American Legion, Fraternal Order of Police, Illinois State Police Command Officers Association, Military Officers Association of America, Military Writers Society of America, National Troopers Coalition, Pi Alpha Alpha National Honor Society for Public Affairs and Administration,  Veterans of Foreign Wars

Volunteer Activities: Tennessee Achieves student mentor, previously Lincoln Challenge’s student mentor, St. John’s Breadline, UIS student veterans club, and a VA hospital van driver for veterans.

Email: bobsnewbook@gmail.com