Robert Graham (Arizona politician)
Robert S. Graham | |
|---|---|
| Born | January 9, 1972 Fort Walton Beach, Florida, U.S. |
| Occupation(s) | Business leader, entrepreneur, author, politician |
| Years active | 1997–present |
| Known for | Chairman of the Arizona Republican Party (2013–2017) |
| Notable work | Job Killers: The American Dream in Reverse |
Robert S. Graham (born January 9, 1972) is an American business leader, entrepreneur, author, and served as chairman of the Arizona Republican Party (AZ GOP) from 2013 through 2017.
Early life and education
Born in Fort Walton Beach, Florida in 1972, Graham’s father was an Air Force Major. The family resided at Kincheloe Air Force Base in Michigan until the conclusion of the Cold War.
Graham completed his high school education in East Lansing, Michigan before enrolling at Arizona State University, where he graduated cum laude with a Bachelor of Science degree in Global Business Management and Finance. In recognition of his entrepreneurial success and contributions, ASU's School of Global Management and Leadership honored him as a "Distinguished Alumnus." He further advanced his education by earning an MBA in Global Management from the Thunderbird School of Global Management in 2013.
Career
Graham started his professional journey in 1997 as director of marketing at Gold and Associates. Subsequently, he held the position of vice president of business development at CUE Financial until 2001, during which he played a key role in expanding the company’s national presence. Between 2001 and 2004, he was employed as a private wealth advisor at Merrill Lynch. In 2004, he established RG Capital, LLC along with iNation, LLC, a Scottsdale-based SaaS firm providing CRM solutions for international businesses and professionals. Graham served as founder and chairman until he sold iNation to a private equity firm in 2008.
In January 2013, Graham was elected chairman of the Arizona Republican Party with 70% support. His main objective was to strengthen and expand the party’s influence within Arizona. During his tenure, Republicans secured every statewide office during the 2014 midterm elections, gaining nationwide attention.
He was re-elected to the chairmanship in January 2015 with an increased vote share of 82%, marking a 12% rise from his initial election. Recognized for his efforts to engage minority populations, Graham was appointed by Governor Doug Ducey to serve on the Arizona Commission of African-American Affairs. Since taking office in 2013, he has actively collaborated with Asian, African American, Latino, and Tribal groups to diversify and enlarge party support.
Publications
Graham authored his debut book in 2010 titled Job Killers: The American Dream in Reverse, which explores the influence of labor unions on employment opportunities and economic development.
Personal life
Since 1997, Graham has been married to Julia, and together they have six children.
