Bob Jorth

Chief Operating Officer

Bob Jorth believes that public education is the key to transforming our communities, states and nation so that they are dynamic places to live and work. He has seen firsthand the impact that The Kalamazoo Promise has had on Kalamazoo, Michigan and the nation since its founding.

He was named as the initial Executive Administrator of the Kalamazoo Promise scholarship in March 2006 and established all of the processes, procedures and infrastructure for the implementation of this groundbreaking nationally recognized scholarship program. He was promoted to position of Executive Director in July 2013, and most recently promoted to Chief Operating Officer in October 2024.

In Kalamazoo, he served on the Interfaith Strategies for Advocacy and Action in the Community (ISAAC) organizing committee and executive board for 3 years. He also was head of the American Youth Soccer Organization (AYSO) Region 211 board for 2 ½ years. He has a Masters in Public Administration from Western Michigan University and a bachelor degree from Wartburg College. He has 2 children who were educated through the Kalamazoo Public Schools and has been a resident of Kalamazoo for over 25 years.