Fueled by Others

As a child, Bob Moran ’72 VSB, CEO of UNATION, Inc., learned two things from his parents: solve the problem and leave the world better than when you found it. To do this, Moran relied on the words of his father.

“My dad’s motto was, ‘Always treat people the way you want to be treated,’ and I try to carry that with me,” says Moran.

With such words as a guidepost, Moran seeks to unlock the potential of others through helping them realize that of which they are truly capable.

A Philadelphia native from a working-class family, Moran was drawn to Villanova, in part, due to its deeply held values.  Once there, he was inspired by his VSB professors who saw the potential he could not see in himself.

“They invested in me, took chances on me, and encouraged me to take my own chances. They gave me skills and successes I could build on.”

Moran ultimately took those skills to serve as Chairman and Interim CEO of GNC Holdings, Inc (GNC), Chairman and CEO of PetSmart, President of Toys R Us, Ltd., Canada, CEO of Sears Roebuck de Mexico, and, at present, CEO of UNATION, Inc., a data technology company headquartered in Tampa, Floria.

Inspired by the actions of his professors, Moran chooses to invest in others, assisting them in making their innovations come to life and recognizing their potential.

“Any impact I’ve had on the world has been through the people I work with and those I’ve mentored along the way,” says Moran. “It’s been my experience that most people underestimate what they can do… I like nothing better than helping people see how good they really are.”

These interactions continue to fuel Moran, calling people “gasoline” to his life.

“I’m fueled by human interactions and fascinated with what makes people tick,” says Moran. “Every time I really talk to someone, I walk away with a new perspective, a new idea or, at the very least, new appreciation for someone’s point of view.”

Never forgetting his upbringing, Moran uses the lessons from his childhood and Villanova education to serve as a compass.

“Throughout my career, I’ve done my best to live by that example and, as my dad would have wanted, treat others the way Villanova treated me.”