Meet Rob Adams.  Rob is a well known Personality of Sedona.  Former Mayor and having served on a variety of boards, committees  and commissions, Rob has made a great many contributions to Sedona!

Q: Tell us a little bit about yourself and the contributions that you made in Sedona. 

A: I was born and raised in New Mexico. I moved up to the Verde Valley 25 years ago. I felt something missing in my life, so I started looking at how I could fill that void and be of service. I’ve been on numerous boards, committees, commissions, and led to the Sedona City Council in 2006. I was elected Mayor in 2008. The most significant contribution that I made was to lead the city through the economic downturn in 2008 and the construction of Highway 179, which was coincidentally at the same time. So it was a difficult time for the town. We did many great things environmentally, such as the bike lanes, Dark Sky City, sidewalks, pedestrian lighting, and street enhancements. I also tried to make the city budget process more transparent and established an environmental committee focused on making Sedona a sustainable city. It was an enjoyable learning experience for me, and I hope that I did something good for Sedona.

Q: What is one thing you wish you learned earlier in your life?

A: Getting more involved in school. I could have spent time in college learning about teamwork, learning to listen, and learning how to develop healthy relationships – things that have made my life more joyful now. I wish I would have learned these things earlier in my life.

Q: What do you like most about Sedona?

A: I like that it is a small city, and wherever you go, you meet people in the community and can interact with them. I also like that it is very progressive in the Arts and offers a lot of things that bigger cities do. It makes you feel like you are part of the community.

Q: What one piece of advice have you received that changed your life?

A: Think before you act.

Q: Who is the most exciting person you’ve met here in Sedona?

A: Ted Grussing. I don’t know him very well, but I’ve learned to respect him through his photography. He would be an incredible mentor; I wish I would have met him some time ago. I do have the good fortune to fly with him. I’m a pilot and had an airplane at that time. He invited me to fly his motorized glider; I have flown them before but never a motorized glider. Ted was in his 70’s at that time, his skills were amazing, and that gave me an indication of the type of soul he was.

Q: If you had an opportunity to be any age, how old would you be, and why?

A: I wouldn’t go back to any particular age, I am living in the moment and making the best of it.

Q: When family or friends visit, where do you take them?

A: We always do a hike, and I usually pick one of my favorite places to show people. I like to have people feel the essence of Sedona as quickly as possible.

Q: What do you consider your greatest accomplishment?

A: I would say raising a son and being a model parent. He turned out to be an exemplary young man. I don’t take all of the credit, but he does say, “I do this because you said that.” He’s an awesome young man, and I will take part of the credit for it.

Q: Choosing anyone, with whom would you have lunch with, and why?

A: I would like to have lunch with Abraham Lincoln. What he went through at that time was just phenomenal. 

Q: How do you want to be remembered?

A: Being a man with integrity.

From the interview with Jonelle Klein