Rob Stern, Founder and Chief Strategist

Rob Stern started writing in second grade when an ambitious teacher taught the class to make books using cardboard, wallpaper, thread and needle.  He was applauded for his sense of plot, character development and conflict resolution. Rob believes creativity is innate, something that can be developed but never taught. He has published in The Boston Globe, Reno Gazette-Journal, and San Diego Reader, to name a few.

He was awarded Story of the Year by the Nevada Press Association for a four part investigative series concerning affordable housing at Lake Tahoe.  He has written and voiced radio commercials for Live 105.3 in San Francisco. He has written and recorded music and lyrics and performed at CBGB. Rob has a degree in print journalism from Northeastern University in Boston, Ma. He has worked as a sales executive for Fortune 500 companies in advertising, technology and resort hospitality and produced numerous marketing pieces for business and consumer sales.

With a consummate thirst for knowledge, he recently earned his certificate in accounting from UC Berkeley and is completing education requirements to sit for the CPA exam.

He resides in the Pacific Heights neighborhood of San Francisco where he is steadfastly at work on Powder Hound, a crime thriller set at Lake Tahoe. He reads voraciously and loves music, the outdoors, food, craft beer, people and pets.

He volunteers through VITA and the United Way, performing tax services for families that make under $50,000 a year; and at a local writing center where he helps students 6 to 18 with assignments.

His plans include sailing the Mediterranean Islands to lap up the sunshine and swim in the serene, turquoise water while traveling from port to port sampling the culture and cuisine, perhaps serving inspiration for his second novel, Santorini by Sunrise.