Robert (Bob) Pinckney, the previous head of the UGA Entrepreneurship Program, departed on Feb. 20 at the age of 66.

In 2015, Pinckney was asked to instruct a one-semester course in the burgeoning scholarly discipline of entrepreneurship at the University of Georgia. The course demonstrated the effectiveness of “experienced entrepreneurs cultivating aspiring entrepreneurs,” and within a few months, UGA initiated a university-wide certificate program in entrepreneurship. This program was situated within the Terry College of Business but was accessible to students from any major, with Pinckney appointed as the program’s director.

Under Pinckney’s guidance, the program nurtured an environment of creativity, attracting coaches, mentors, and benefactors from diverse industries, and created two national pitch contests. Pinckney elevated the program’s national visibility, developed an angel investment network, and significantly increased enrollment. Currently, the UGA Entrepreneurship Program boasts one of the highest participation rates of any program on campus, incorporating students from every college within the university.

Pinckney’s intrigue with the mechanisms of business began at age 12 during a 4-H field excursion to a telecommunications site. He was fascinated by the inner workings of the industry. By 16, he constructed a laser from the ground up for a state-winning 4-H electronics initiative.

He completed his studies at the University of Georgia in 1982, where he was welcomed into several honor societies, including Phi Kappa Phi, Blue Key, Gridiron, and ODK, and served as president of Mortarboard. He subsequently attended Harvard Business School, earning an MBA in 1986.

His inquisitiveness and creativity enabled him to acquire valuable experience with Southern Bell and the John Portman Companies prior to embarking on a career as a serial entrepreneur. He played a crucial role in U.S. enterprises such as Network Telco in Houston and Evoshield in Athens.

Pinckney is survived by his sons, Bobby and Max, along with his wife, Elizabeth Bradham Pinckney. A memorial service took place on Feb. 27, followed by a celebration of life on March 1.

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