community spotlight by brian van de mark
Rob Rankin personifies his favorite wine, a Zinfandel: fruity, peppery, and latest explosion in online networking.
robust. Rankin, 41, of North Park is a volunteer at the Greater San Diego Business Between working on his PhD and volunteering at GSDBA, one would think
Association (GSDBA). His primary responsibilities include helping with the direc- Rankin is pretty swamped. Not true. But he doesn’t spend his time pouring over
tory, organizing the Pride committee to design and create the float and being theory and textbooks at Starbucks. That’s for amateurs.
there “wherever they need” him. “I am a big wine junkie, so you can always find me at the local wine bars getting
GSDBA is a non-profit organization that promotes business development to together with friends,” Rankin said. “Sometimes, we just grab a bottle of wine and
increase economic opportunities for members, the LGBT community and all hang out at home, watching Big Bang Theory or Adventures of Old Christine.”
who support business equality. Being involved at the GSDBA means increasing Rankin describes himself as an urban or city boy with traditionalist tendencies.
your business. To that end, GSDBA has created many different ways to network The Charlotte, NC native says body wash is “voodoo,” preferring instead the good
and interact with other members to increase the visibility, the business and the old-fashioned bar of soap. Rankin may have left the South, but the accent hasn’t
bottom line. Last year, Rankin took the next step in pursuing his education. He is left him—nor has his admiration for great leaders of the South. And whom does
currently a PhD candidate at the University of San Diego in Leadership Studies. he most admire? “Dolly Parton is such an incredible example of someone who is
Having dropped out of college at 20, Rankin knows the value of a good education. both a leader and a celebrity,” Rankin explains. “She built this amusement park in
“I was out of school for about 13-14 years and when I wrote a gay fantasy novel, I a poor area where she grew up in the Appalachians and gave locals jobs. I have
basically had to have my bachelors in English to get it published,” Rankin explains. always felt she is about building people up. I remember seeing her on The Tonight
“When I left North Carolina, I got my masters in counseling here in San Diego. But Show years ago, hearing [Johnny] Carson ask, ‘How—and why—how do you do
that still wasn’t enough to really get me where I want to go. Enter USD, or more this, your big hair and fake boobs?’ She was so genuine when she said, ‘Look, this
specifically, admission to USD. “I hope to get a job as a professor or to work in is who I am, and if a person has to change a few things to find who they are, that
higher education administration,” Rankin says. shouldn’t matter.’ It left such an impression on me.”
Having designed a course in diversity and leadership, Rankin hopes to take his Along with Parton, Rankin admires former presidents Jimmy Carter and Bill
own experiences and use those to help others. Before entering his PhD program Clinton, as well as current Secretary of State Hillary Clinton.
at the University of San Diego in Leadership Studies, Rankin worked at the GSDBA As for Rankin, he is, as he says, “regrettably single.” What is he looking for?
as the office manager for five years. “I am looking for a man with ambition,” Rankin said. “You don’t have to be suc-
“It is such an amazing place to meet new people,” Rankin said. “When I left to go cessful or a celebrity, but you have to want to do something. And you have to
to school, I really missed the people, the connections, the networking. I just love have a good sense of humor. And you have to find me funny. I think the hardest
being a part of the community and helping out with events.” Rankin’s interests— thing to find is someone with ambition. I mean, I am 41 and a student, and most
and likely his dissertation—will focus on LGBT diversity and technology and people think if you’re my age you should drive a nice car, have a nice house and be
the ideas of mentorship in networking. Rankin is excited that his first published settled into life, having done everything. No way. I need ambition, drive.” Oh, and
article will appear this year. The topic? Faculty members who use Facebook, the it wouldn’t hurt if you like Smarties and Sweethearts. The candies, that is.
Rob Rankin
Wherever The GSDBA NeeDS him
68 RAGE monthly | APRIL 2009
Page 1 |
Page 2 |
Page 3 |
Page 4 |
Page 5 |
Page 6 |
Page 7 |
Page 8 |
Page 9 |
Page 10 |
Page 11 |
Page 12 |
Page 13 |
Page 14 |
Page 15 |
Page 16 |
Page 17 |
Page 18 |
Page 19 |
Page 20 |
Page 21 |
Page 22 |
Page 23 |
Page 24 |
Page 25 |
Page 26 |
Page 27 |
Page 28 |
Page 29 |
Page 30 |
Page 31 |
Page 32 |
Page 33 |
Page 34 |
Page 35 |
Page 36 |
Page 37 |
Page 38 |
Page 39 |
Page 40 |
Page 41 |
Page 42 |
Page 43 |
Page 44 |
Page 45 |
Page 46 |
Page 47 |
Page 48 |
Page 49 |
Page 50 |
Page 51 |
Page 52 |
Page 53 |
Page 54 |
Page 55 |
Page 56 |
Page 57 |
Page 58 |
Page 59 |
Page 60 |
Page 61 |
Page 62 |
Page 63 |
Page 64 |
Page 65 |
Page 66 |
Page 67 |
Page 68 |
Page 69 |
Page 70 |
Page 71 |
Page 72 |
Page 73 |
Page 74 |
Page 75 |
Page 76 |
Page 77 |
Page 78 |
Page 79 |
Page 80 |
Page 81 |
Page 82 |
Page 83 |
Page 84 |
Page 85 |
Page 86 |
Page 87 |
Page 88 |
Page 89 |
Page 90 |
Page 91 |
Page 92 |
Page 93 |
Page 94 |
Page 95 |
Page 96 |
Page 97 |
Page 98 |
Page 99 |
Page 100 |
Page 101 |
Page 102 |
Page 103 |
Page 104 |
Page 105 |
Page 106 |
Page 107 |
Page 108 |
Page 109 |
Page 110 |
Page 111 |
Page 112