He is a graduate of Washington and Lee University School of Law, and his undergraduate degree in Government was earned at Bates College in Lewiston, Maine.

    Before being elected to Congress, Bob served as former Congressman Caldwell Butler's District Office Manager from 1977 to 1979, where he was responsible for helping folks across the Sixth Congressional District.  In 1979, he founded his own private law practice in Roanoke.  He was a partner in the law firm of Bird, Kinder and Huffman, working there from 1981 until taking office.

    Bob has long been active in his community, serving as President of the Civitan Club of Roanoke, and he's been active with the Parent Teachers Association at his children's public school and with the United Way of the Roanoke Valley.

    Bob serves as Chairman of the Agriculture Committee.  In addition, Bob serves on the Judiciary Committee and the Select Committee on Homeland Security.  On Judiciary, Bob serves on the Crime, Terrorism, and Homeland Security Subcommittee and as Vice Chairman of the Courts, the Internet, and Intellectual Property Subcommittee.  On Homeland Security, Bob serves on the Infrastructure and Border Security Subcommittee and on the Cybersecurity, Science, and Research & Development Subcommittee.  Bob is also the co-chair of the Congressional Internet Caucus and Chairman of the House Republican High Tech Working Group.

    Bob and Maryellen, his wife of 28 years, live in Roanoke with their two children, Jenny, age 19, and Bobby, age 16.