Robert E. Dittmer, APR is currently an adjunct faculty member with the Department of Journalism teaching graduate public relations courses.
He is the former Deputy Commissioner for Tax Administration at the Indiana Department of Revenue and also served the department as Director of Public Relations for four years.
He is a former faculty member of the Indiana University School of Journalism at IUPUI (Indiana University Purdue University Indianapolis). While at IUPUI he also served as Director of Public Relations Graduate Studies, Sequence Coordinator of the Public Relations Undergraduate Sequence, and was Academic Advisor for the Public Relations Student Society of America chapter.
A veteran of the U.S. Army, Dittmer served in numerous leadership roles in combat units and senior staff positions during a 20-year career. While Deputy Director of the Public Affairs Department at the Defense Information School in 1992 he developed the Joint Public Affairs Advanced Course under the direction of the Assistant Secretary of Defense for Public Affairs. He also serves as the public spokesman for U.S. Army Europe and for NATO’s senior military command, Supreme Allied Command Europe.
At Indiana University Purdue University Indianapolis, he developed the Indiana University graduate program in Public Relations in 2007. This program now has more than 60 students from a wide variety of backgrounds and experiences.
He has authored numerous books to aid people in business and professional life. These include:
- 151 Quick Ideas to Manage Your Time
- 151 Quick Ideas for Decision Making and Delegating (with Stephanie McFarland)
- 151 Quick Ideas to Improve Your People Skills (with Stephanie McFarland)
In 2009 he co-authored Shades of Green with Julie Vincent, a book focused on helping people lead a more green and sustainable lifestyle. He also consults for many organizations throughout the year aiding them in public relations and marketing.
He has received several Public Relation honors including the 1998 PRSA Excellence in Professional Service Award from the Hoosier Chapter, PRSA, and the Lloyd B. Dennis Award from the Public Affairs and Government Section of PRSA in 2008. He was Accredited in Public Relations (APR) in 1992. At Indiana University he has been named a Trustees Teaching Award recipient for four years. In addition to serving as the president of the Hoosier Chapter of PRSA in 1998, he has also served as a PRSA District Chair and as a PRSA Section Chair.
Bob has more than 45 years of professional leadership and management experience, of which 30 years are in professional public relations and more than 25 years as an educator.
He can be reached at redcom@comcast.net.
Bob Dittmer's Blog 