‘I ... try to make Christ the CEO of our company’

Rob Reynolds is a member of Legatus’ Tampa Bay Chapter, having served as its president through 2022. He received Legatus’ 2022 Ambassador of the Year award at Summit 2023 in Orlando, FL, in February.

He grew up in the Hudson Valley of New York, one of five children in a Catholic family. He is a graduate of the Franciscan University of Steubenville, and upon graduation taught biology, chemistry, and psychology in the public schools of the Bronx and Westchester County. In 2011, he relocated to Tampa, and joined with his brother to launch a successful real estate firm, Avesta. Seeking a career that advanced the New Evangelization, he left the firm and founded a production company, Cross Boss Media, which in 2021 released Studio 3:16 (www.studio316.com), a supplementary resource for Catholic school religion courses and parish faith formation classes for children.

How much has the Tampa Bay Chapter grown?

When I first joined the chapter in 2012, we’d have about 14 to 20 people coming to our events. Today, we have about 60, with much of that growth occurring since 2020. When we invite prospective members to our meetings today, they’re likely to join.

How did this growth happen?

It was my focus as president to ask each couple: how can we make our meetings a high-value experience for members? We got some great feedback, such as sticking to the schedule for our meetings.

Additionally, our board members made an active effort by mingling with event participants and making sure other people were mingling. If we had a new couple, we’d make an effort to engage them. One member started a social committee that would have events outside of Legatus meetings. They’d have an activity, such as watching horse racing, and plan dinner with it. It made people feel welcome.

What changes have occurred with Cross Boss Media/Studio 3:16 since 2021?

We’ve pivoted and focused on Catholic education. We’re working in Catholic schools and doing parish faith formation. We’re now active in 32 dioceses and 20 states. Previously we were doing our children’s program with a “pay it forward” funding model, but I couldn’t justify the marketing expense for a national launch. Working in the schools, we’re more targeted. Schools typically have excellent ELA and STEM resources but subpar-quality religion materials. This suggests to kids that religion is not as important as other subjects.

We have our same Studio 3:16 program, but we’ve built a curriculum around it. It is a Gospel-based program. We start with Lectio Divina, have students journal on the Gospel reading, watch the Studio 3:16 program, and then have a reflection and application to what they’ve learned.

In August, Shevin McCullough, Studio 3:16’s co-founder, executive writer, and actor, and Fr. Rob Galea of Australia will perform Emmanuel Forever, a song they produced and wrote, before a live audience of 175,000 at World Youth Day in Lisbon.

How do you live out your faith in your business and community environment?

We have a staff of 15, and we start each day with a “daily huddle,” which includes prayer to the Sacred Heart. I really try to make Christ the CEO of our company.

I try to lead with my faith, as it is most important in molding who I am. Along with my three other partners, I am committed to daily Mass and a daily hour of prayer. I think that comes through in how we treat people and do business.

At home, we join with families we know for a first Saturday rosary party during which we break bread, have drinks, and socialize. These draw 80 to 100 people. We rotate among different homes, with the host family providing the entrée and other families bringing sides and desserts.

How has Legatus helped animate your faith?

It has allowed me to connect with other people who put their faith first, and whose business decisions are informed by their faith. For Legatus members, faith and business are integrated.