Robert (Bob) Lawson III’s journey is a study in versatility and commitment. With a life that spans multiple sectors, including sports, finance, manufacturing and now author, his myriad accomplishments are nothing short of extraordinary.
Sports Achievements: Motorcycle Racing: Lawson Associates, founded in 1989, marked Bob’s entry into professional motorcycle racing. He showcased his managerial brilliance by handling top racers such as AMA Dirt Track Champion Jay Springsteen and World Superbike Champion Doug Polen. Bob’s vision also led to the establishment of AMA Superbike/Super-Sport Teams – namely, American Eagle Racing and CNC Jobs Racing.
Ice Hockey in Las Vegas: Between 1993 and 1995, Bob redefined ice hockey in Las Vegas. As the General Manager, Marketing Director, and Director of Hockey Operations of Santa Fe Casino Ice Arena, Bob took the helm of the Las Vegas Aces Hockey Team. Under his leadership, the Aces were the first documented professional hockey team to play a full league schedule with exclusively paid players.
Las Vegas Flash: Bob’s impact on the Roller Hockey International (RHI) scene was significant. As the General Manager of the Las Vegas Flash, Bob’s foresight brought “Miracle on Ice” Gold Medalist Ken Morrow onboard as the Head Coach.
Flint Generals Hockey Club: The 1995-1996 season was a golden era for the Flint Generals Hockey Club, serving as the VP of Marketing, under GM and good friend Robbie Nichols, he was a core member of the management team, and the first-ever championship year in the ‘95-’96 season. Under Bob’s watch, the club set records in sellout games and league sponsorships.
From the icy landscapes of Michigan to the high-stakes boardrooms, Bob Lawson’s indomitable spirit has left an indelible mark. His legacy, built on adaptability, vision and an unyielding drive, will continue to inspire generations.
Richard Gubbe has had a multi-faceted career that has encompassed writing, public relations and event production. He’s held the positions of lead writer for Caesars Palace, editor-in-chief and lead writer for Las Vegas Magazine and features editor and magazine editor for the Las Vegas SUN. He’s won writing awards for the Rock River Times, as a contributing writer for Elevate Magazine and as Sports Editor for Tazewell Publishing’s stable of five newspapers in Illinois. His freelance credits include USA Today, The Sporting News, Singapore Women’s Weekly, Showbiz magazine, Nevadan magazine and Nevada Woman magazine. Whether it’s investigative reporting, feature writing, editorial writing or business writing, he has excelled on all platforms, and he’s interviewed some of the biggest names in show business and sports.
Gubbe has helped produce some of the largest events in Las Vegas sports, including the lead coordinator for the outdoor hockey game at Caesars, the first ever pro hockey event in Las Vegas. His ice hockey career included playing in leagues in Illinois and Las Vegas that included a tryout with the New York Rangers in 1983. Other special events he helped promote include the lead coordinator for the Robbie Knievel Jump Over the Fountains at Caesars, worldwide boxing and kickboxing at Caesars, the Miss Universe Pageant, as well as off-road racing and hydroplane races in Nevada and Hawaii. He holds the attendance record for many Vegas events, including the Kickboxing Extravaganza for Showtime at T&M.
Gubbe won Illinois Press Association awards for his 23-part, award-winning series on toxic waste dumping in Northern Illinois – for Investigative Reporting (First Place) and another for News Reporting (Second Place). He won two consecutive first-place awards for Explanatory Journalism from the Nevada Press Association and state writing and section awards for Tazewell Publishing. Gubbe also performed event production and PR for the Las Vegas Aces and Las Vegas Flash. He’s also had a 35-year career as a Reiki Master Teacher in Illinois and Nevada with more than 3,000 students in his classes.
