A Bittersweet Send Off to Rob Pohl

Parting ways can be bittersweet.

This week is truly bittersweet for Royal American Companies as Rob Pohl, our IT manager, is parting ways to continue developing his professional career in the world of Information Technology. We are very proud of Rob and all his accomplishments during his tenure with our company. He has done so many great things for our organization to include being the main go-to person for server and network maintenance, addressing hardware and software issues for all RA companies, being key in bringing our network on-line in record time after a catastrophic event that destroyed our headquarters, and leading and training a group of IT techs towards success. Rob also was responsible for overseeing NUMEROUS workstation moves and setting up the entire corporate headquarters to work remotely through COVID-19 and following Hurricane Michael as the company made needed adjustments to its new environment. Rob and his team were essential to maintaining continuity in our organization. We will forever be grateful to him for all his dedication and hard work during his tenure at Royal American/ First Service.

After Rob completed a challenging IT certification program 18 years ago, he began his journey at Royal American/ First Services that would soon become more like family than a workplace. In the 18 years Rob has spent being an IT Technician/Manager he has seen many changes in technology and Royal American. Initially the IT department he joined consisted of one IT Director and two technicians. Since then he has worked with four different IT Directors (VPs) and watched the IT Department and the company grow considerably. Rob always strives to keep up with technology and help the people around him learn to adapt to it. He spends many a long nights/ hours working on servers to make sure everyone can do their job the next morning. No matter how frustrated an employee is with their computer issue Rob is quick to use humor to make them feel better and fix the issue. Troubleshooting is like a favorite past time for him. We appreciate his patience and compassion for his fellow workers- his passion for his career and this company shows in all his efforts and his kind disposition towards helping others.

It truly is with such sweet sorrow we say goodbye to Rob. He will be missed by everyone who has had the pleasure of working with him, however, we are happy he is off on another technological adventure and expanding his horizons. We wish him well and we know he will aspire to be the best Rob he can be as always. Keep living your best life Rob! We wish you nothing but the very best!

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32 replies
  1. Heather Ward says:

    Rob – I type this with tears in my eyes. So happy for what the future holds for you, so sad to see you leave us behind in your rear view mirror. Can I lure you back for a visit sometime with chocolate chip cookies??? 🙂 You have been a great work friend, you always make me laugh. You scare my computer with just the mention of your name on the phone to standing up, paying attention and doing the right thing! Who can do that now that you are leaving?!?!? And who will I tease about stealing my employee of the year now you are leaving? No one deserves it more than you! You are so awesome at what you do, no one will ever be able to fill your MONSTER sized shoes. Mike will have a hard time trying to find someone half so good. You will be sorely missed by all who have known, worked with and loved you and watched you grow all these years. From single, to married, to father…it has been quite a journey and wonderful to watch! All the best to you in the years to come. May your path continued to be blessed as I know you will bless those around you.

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  2. Maddy Flores says:

    Rob- You will truly be missed. Thank you for all your help and always answering my call. 🙂

    I wish you nothing but the best in your new journey and your future endeavors. Big hugs your way. 🙂

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  3. Pamela Bonk says:

    Rob, you will surely be missed. Thank you for all you have done and the great memories you will have. Best of luck on your next 18 years and beyond! Hugs to you and your beautiful family.

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  4. Ashley Bejarano says:

    Farewell Mr. Rob Pohl! Thank you for every minute you’ve helped me and supported the Miami Office. Truly a pleasure to have had support by your expertise. We will miss you so much! All the best to you and your family.

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  5. Hilltop Pointe says:

    We are going to miss you, I’m going to miss hearing you say to me (What did you do now) when you hear my voice on the phone. HA HA! Good Luck Thank you for everything.

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  6. Melissa Dugas says:

    Rob – I wish you the best! You were my go to IT person (shhh, don’t tell anyone i called your cell for help). You always answered – you always helped – you were always kind. You will be missed immensely. Good luck, take care, and if you are in Orlando…please stop by the office just to say hi!

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  7. Cathy Day says:

    OMG… I will truly miss you…You fixed the problem and I said “I forgot the password ” then we laughed. Stay sweet and thanks you for ALL your help.

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  8. Melissa Nichols says:

    Oh my goodness, that slide show was awesome. You have always been a ray of sunshine and smiles and made all of our events that much more entertaining. You will be missed ,but I wish you the best of luck.

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  9. Katy Harrell says:

    Rob…do NOT change your phone number! LOL Seriously, I am happy for you to spread your wings…but it is definitely bittersweet. You are always there in a bind, and figure it out even when it means lots of multi tasking going on. So thankful to have met you and worked with you. Even more thankful you sacrificed and went to AL and were able to restore files for us after Michael. You deserve nothing but the best. Keep being the guy who will do anything (even if it is just for a laugh)…it will take you far!

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  10. Kerri Toth says:

    Best of luck Rob! Your new company is very fortunate to have you. You are so good at what you do that you could just touch one button and my computer was fixed- I seriously don’t think it was user error (well maybe) but if it was you would never say because you are so kind. Thank you for your patience and gentle spirit. I hope Royal American has been good to you over the past 18 years – I know it is where you met, Jess, your beautiful wife, and then came along your two precious babies. We all have enjoyed watching your sweet family grow over the years. We will sure miss you fun-loving spirit round here but are looking forward to hearing about all of your new endeavors.

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  11. Britany Ost says:

    Rob you truly have touched us all with your sweet and funny personality- you friended me right away when i first moved here (we were neighbors at Northshore) and made this a great place to work! So many memories we have all had, i wish you the very best in your future endeavors and your new job, they don’t know how lucky they are to have you yet. You will be missed on so many levels!!!
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  12. Kirk Lancaster says:

    You’re an all-around great guy and super-smart IT professional. Best wishes, Rob, you will be missed!

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  13. Shirley A. Roberts says:

    Rob,

    I wish you all the best. You will be missed because I could count on you when I had issues. You were also a fun person to be around. Good Luck. Please keep in touch.

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  14. Nikki Lumsden-Winecoff says:

    Rob, You will be greatly missed!! I want to thank you so much for all the MANY times you have helped me. You have always been so kind, sweet and patient – when we are probably not at our best, being frazzled and just wanting our equipment to work, LOL. But you always get to the bottom of the problem, every single time. I am glad I got to know you over these many years at RA. I can truly say, you are one of the kindest people out there. I wish you all the best in your new endeavors. Just know that you cannot be replaced! Take care of that sweet family:)

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  15. Brittany Walsh says:

    That photo gallery was a literal dance down memory lane with you, Robert Pohl. You were my first buddy at Royal American….with me since day one when we were literally the two youngest employees (other than Cassi’s short stint at RA). I’m so incredibly excited for you and your new journey. It won’t be the same without you by my side or having you answer my text at 8 pm about getting into Forticlient, but I know I will still see you again soon and I can’t wait to hear all about your new journey.

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  16. Kelsey Brites says:

    Rob, I am sad to see you go but happy to know you will be continuing to do what you love. I am so glad I got to work beside you and call you not just a co-worker but also a friend. I wish you all the BEST!!

    P.S. I totally forgot about that Grass kicker kickball team… Man, did we get our grasses kicked LOL

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  17. Jess Pohl says:

    Rob,
    You add so much light and joy everywhere you are. RA will not be the same without your laugh and positivity.Your dedication is second to none and your knowledge seems to go on forever. You just add so much. I’m grateful that we worked together the past 11 years and couldn’t be more proud of you and how much you have grown in that time. Bittersweet is the perfect word – It seems like the closing of a really big chapter considering we began and built this life together alongside RA. I’m so excited to see you chase opportunity and rise to new heights, even if it is a little hard on the heart. Thank you for the difference you make everyday. You have definitely made your mark.

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      • Nadine Richard says:

        Roooobbb, you will be missed. I wish you the best and know that you will do well. Thank you for all of your helps and the laughter you brought while helping.

        It’s your favorite Nadine Richard in RAM in the Miami area, lol

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  18. Angela Malone says:

    NOOOOOO!!! Rob you can’t go, you are ALWAYS the one to help me. LOL I wish you nothing but success in whatever you are moving on to. You will be missed more than I can even express. Take care and keep in touch.

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  19. Brenda Pinner says:

    WOW…Congrats to Rob future career in the technology world. We will certainly miss him. Best of luck !

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  20. Charlie Castillo says:

    Wow. Robert I wish nothing but the best. Thank you for all that you did for us and for always being there.

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  21. Catherine.Biddy says:

    Rob has ALWAYS been an inspiration to those he comes into contact with. This tribute (especially the pictures) expressed it very well. Watching this young, dedicated man, grow in the workplace, and in life…has been very special. I feel privileged to have gotten to know him. The slideshow gave you just a little glimpse of him. Always willing to step into any challenge – whether work related, fun task, or special need…he has been there! He is dedicated to his family, his work family and being the best man that God has destined him to be. I will miss you Rob…but know the new horizons that you are embarking on will be just as fun to you ~ as these years with RA Companies.

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