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1 <br /> ORANGE COUNTY <br /> BOARD OF COMMISSIONERS <br /> ACTION AGENDA ITEM ABSTRACT <br /> Meeting Date: February 16, 2021 <br /> Action Agenda <br /> Item No. 4-a <br /> SUBJECT: Proclamation Recognizing Robert A. Marotto <br /> DEPARTMENT: Animal Services <br /> ATTACHMENT(S): INFORMATION CONTACT: <br /> Proclamation Irene Phipps, 919-932-4949 <br /> PURPOSE: To consider a proclamation recognizing and expressing gratitude to Robert A. (Bob) <br /> Marotto for his devotion and service to Orange County. <br /> BACKGROUND: After 16 years of dedicated service to the Orange County community and <br /> animals, Bob Marotto is retiring on March 3, 2021. <br /> Bob Marotto began his career of service with Orange County in 2005 in the newly created job as <br /> the director of Orange County Animal Services (OCAS). However, his career did not begin as an <br /> animal welfare professional and advocate. Prior to that, Bob had completed his education at the <br /> University of California, Santa Cruz, earning a Ph.D in Sociology. He taught at the University of <br /> Dayton for a while but missed working in the world outside of academia, and subsequently moved <br /> to Minnesota, acquired two dogs and began training them. Bob's interest in animals grew, <br /> facilitated by CENSHARE (Center to Study Human-Animal Relationships and Environments), and <br /> he began building his animal-related skills. This included working at Petco stocking shelves. Mr. <br /> Marotto became an accomplished dog trainer teaching "reactive dog" classes and working with <br /> aggressive dogs. <br /> In 1994, Mr. Marotto joined the City of Minneapolis Animal Care and Control Program as an <br /> Animal Control Officer, then moving to Supervisor, leading him to serve as the program manager. <br /> In his 11 years there, he worked successfully with many different people and organizations as <br /> well as oversaw the multiple program developments, new shelter construction and handling and <br /> policy practices for the care, dispositioning and placement of animals. Bob served as a board <br /> member for the National Animal Control Association and worked occasionally for The Humane <br /> Society of the United States conducting animal shelter and program evaluations. After discussing <br /> with his wife the need to relocate to a warmer climate, Bob transformed from a Gopher to a Tar <br /> Heel. <br /> With OCAS, Bob has been involved in the creation and management of numerous programs and <br /> progressive initiatives. He helped lead the major building project for the new Animal Services <br />