The American Kennel Club Government Relations department is pleased to welcome our newest staff member, Bob Rilling-Smith. Bob is the new Legislative Analyst/Community Outreach Coordinator for U.S. Western States including California, Oregon, Washington, Nevada, Montana, and Idaho. 

In this role, he will be responsible for monitoring state and local legislation and regulations impacting dog ownership and advocating to support and protect the health, safety, and welfare of all dogs.  Bob will be working closely with clubs and federations to coordinate events and increase community engagement at the grassroots level to advance purpose-bred dogs, encourage responsible dog ownership and protect the rights of dog owners. 

Bob is a graduate of Kent State University in Kent, OH, and holds a MA in Public Policy and Administration from Northwestern University in Evanston, Illinois. Prior to joining AKC, Bob worked as an analyst and lobbyist in the San Francisco Bay Area, where he focused on the issue of food insecurity. Bob has also been an analyst and grassroots advocate in California and Arizona. 

Originally from Ohio, Bob now lives with his wife, Paulina, and Havanese dog, Luna, in the San Francisco Bay Area. 

Bob looks forward to working with AKC constituents, legislators, and other stakeholders to protect purebred dogs and responsible breeders, in addition to attending events in his states. 

“I am so excited to be a part of AKC’s Government Relations Team. It’s great to be surrounded by such an impressive group of people who have a genuine love for dogs and their wellbeing,” he said. 

Feel free to reach out to Bob to introduce yourself or pass on information related to state legislation or local issues in California, Oregon, Washington, Nevada, Montana, and Idaho.  

He may be contacted at: bxr@akc.org or via phone at (919) 816-3960.