The Hobbs Foundation was established in 2003 by Russell Hobbs and the Hobbs family, an organization founded to continue the charitable work of Mr. Hobbs’ former company, Blue Ocean Software; now, BMC Software.
In it’s inception, the Hobbs Foundation worked to expand on the company’s philanthropic and social responsibility program, providing funding opportunities to non-profit organizations supporting abused, abandoned and neglected children in our Tampa Bay community.
Russell Hobbs
Executive Director and Founder
Russ Hobbs began his career as an information technology entrepreneur, founding his company, Blue Ocean Software, a leading developer of help desk, knowledge base resolution tools and systems management solutions. Russ was recognized by the Entrepreneurship Society and the Office of Entrepreneurship and Liberal Arts of his alma mater, Wake Forest University, with the Excellence in Entrepreneurship Award for his contributions to the information technology and business development industry sectors. Shortly after graduating from Wake Forest, Russ founded Blue Ocean Software with a help desk and asset management product he developed called “Track-It!” Blue Ocean Software became an Inc magazine 500 fastest growing company which was later acquired by Intuit. In 2003, Russ turned his efforts to grantmaking and philanthropy as Executive Director and Founder of his family foundation in support of disadvantaged children in the Tampa Bay community, creating opportunities for children to thrive in a safe, nurturing environment, shape strong value systems and lead healthy, productive lives.
Amanda Long
Managing Director
Amanda has served as Senior Advisor to the Hobbs family since 2004; managing the grants and research program, operations and investment strategies for the Hobbs Foundation. In her time with the Hobbs family, Amanda has been responsible for the development of strategic program-related approaches and collaborative partnerships within the philanthropic community that drives regional grantmaking initiatives. Her work provides key insights on social and economic trends that directs the Foundation’s grantmaking strategy and yields measurable impact in addressing the needs of children and families.
Amanda’s role seeks to evaluate the organizational effectiveness and program strategy of its funded partners, identify capacity-building opportunities and coordinate funding initiatives for high-impact non-profit ventures that deliver critical interventions in the areas of child welfare, youth development, healthcare, education, homelessness and economic opportunity. Amanda holds a Chartered Advisor in Philanthropy designation from the American College of Financial Services and an Executive Certification in Grantmaking and Philanthropy from New York University with a focus on private foundations. She is a graduate in Nonprofit Management from Georgetown University, earned an MBA and Bachelor’s Degree in Psychology (Neuroscience) from the University of South Florida.
Roger Silk
Ph.D. CEO, Sterling Foundation Management, Board of Advisors
Roger D. Silk is widely recognized as a leading expert in the field of private foundations and charitable trusts. As a founder and board member of several non-profit organizations, former bond trader at the World Bank, and Stanford-trained Ph.D. economist, Dr. Silk possesses a unique blend of experience, practical knowledge, and theoretical insight which have enabled him to help build Sterling into the market leader that it is today.
Dr. Silk’s expertise in the non-profit field is particularly deep. He has helped multi-million-dollar non-profits rethink how they do business and has led the complete restructuring of several charitable organizations. He has developed a wide range of successful philanthropic projects for clients. Projects include such diverse areas as development of scientific research laboratories, design of measurement programs to gauge the effectiveness of scholarship programs, preservation of environmentally sensitive areas through scenic easements, and development of curriculum for use in high schools nationwide.
Bill Aurilio
Chief Financial Officer
Bill is responsible for managing the financial operations of the Hobbs Foundation and ensuring the financial health and sustainability of the Foundation’s grantmaking programs. He works closely with the Hobbs Family to develop financial strategies that support the organization’s mission and goals. Bill oversees tax, accounting, and financial reporting of the Hobbs Foundation’s endowment portfolio and contributes to the policies and financial planning strategies governing the Foundation’s charitable activities.
Prior to the Hobbs Foundation, Bill served as controller for Blue Ocean Software, Inc. and Ocean Capital Ventures, an investment management firm focusing on venture capital opportunities not served by traditional private equity, under the direction of Russ Hobbs. In 2012, he became the CFO for ClearSky Power & Technology Fund before joining as the CFO for Stanton Optical. Bill has a Masters degree in Accountancy from UNC Kenan-Flagler Business School and a Bachelor’s of Science degree in Business Administration from the University of Florida.