Rob Simis
The arts have benefited from outside support through the millennia – purchasing artwork or tickets, commissioning a composition or being a patron.
The Tri-Cities have benefited from the hard work and support of Rob Simis. He has supported not only arts organizations; he has alliances with many organizations in the area including Boy Scouts, United Way of Bristol, Believe in Bristol, Birthplace of Country Music, The Mendota Trail, For Pete’s Sake Animal Rescue and many other groups.
His passion and tireless commitment for the past 15 years, however, has been the Paramount Center for the Arts.
“One of the great things about living in an area of the country where there is a love for the arts and music is that I enjoy live performances on a regular basis.The Paramount encompasses that opportunity.
“I grew up in the south (southern Idaho), near where Evel Knieval tried to jump the Snake River Canyon in the 1970s. My parents gave me a business focus, as my brother and I mowed 25-30lawns a week for several years, making sure the trimming was good, the leaves were off the lawn and, most importantly, we were requiredto ring the doorbell for the $2 to $4 average charge per lawn every week. It was about the ask. My parents kept half of the money, thinking we had no idea what was ahead of us and while we argued it was our money, they did not relent. I learned a life lesson in putting money in the barn for future storms. Ringing the doorbell is what I continue to do:Ring the doorbell for the Paramount,” Simis says.
Simis graduated from the U.S. Military Academy at West Point with the class of 1979. His brother joined him with the class of 1980. After graduating, he spent eight years as an officer in the Field Artillery, mostly in Europe, and actually was in Germany when the “wall” came down.Upon returning to the states, he decided to make a career change andended up in Bristol 30 years ago.
“I was enamored with the beauty of Appalachia, with all of the trappings that are bestowed upon those living in such a rich cultural environment of music and the arts. My wife and I understandthat we are not blessed with music talent, artistic talent or dancing talent. Teresa and I support the Paramount by enjoying others perform who are more talented than either of us. What a wonderful way to help bring a spring in the step of those in our community.
“The Paramount In our minds, it is all about hard work, proper governance and understanding the need to ask for a reward for high goals and accountable results. Fifteen years ago, I volunteered at the Paramount to assist in governance as a board member. What a joy it is to be an advocate for such agreat venue, no, such a great experience at the venue. By the way: Go Army, Beat Navy,” he says.
He has served on the Paramount’s board of directors in various capacities and as president for the past three years, as well as president in early 2000s. He was instrumental in the success of various fundraising events and led the board, as well as the extremely supportive and caring Bristol community, through some challenging and transitional years for the Paramount.
David Grace, vice president of the Paramount board reflects, “Rob’s humble, unpretentious and sustained support provided through his volunteer and financial involvement in the Paramount Center for the Arts is an inspiration and an exemplary model of his advocacy of the arts in the Bristol community.
“While financial support is crucial to any organization, leadership is more important. There is an expression that leadership comes from the front. We know of no better example of this than Rob’s leadership. He has been at the front of the charge leading the board through difficult times. He leads by example with unwavering loyalty to his duties as president. It is no exaggeration to say that the theater would be in a far different and much more dire place were not for Rob’s many years of leadership.”
For more information about the Paramount, visit www.paramountbristol.org.
