AUTHOR OF THE YEAR

2024 has been a tremendous year in Alaska for Rob. Most recently, Rob was blessed to record videos throughout Juneau for a new YouTube series he’ll be featuring sharing his efforts to help those struggling with an addiction. 2023 was a fabulous 10th year in Alaska for Rob. He was able to forge wonderful new relationships with incredible Alaskans, which provided Rob with new adventures and an even deeper appreciation of "The Last Frontier."

2022 was a very prosperous year in Alaska for Rob. He was blessed to travel on multiple once-in-a-lifetime expeditions, as well as meet more characters for his unscripted TV concepts.

In 2021, Rob made numerous new Alaskan friends who helped him explore intriguing areas. Those colleagues are great characters which Rob hopes to include in his Reality TV concepts.
The 2020 tour season was struck down by the Covid-19 virus, but Rob still continued to build exciting relationships with people in Alaska and searching "The Last Frontier" for great ideas for unscripted TV shows.  

2018 was perhaps Rob's most adventurous in Alaska since first arriving there in the spring of 2014. It was his second stint as the Host on a private cruise ship. 

A guest passed away and Rob was asked to assist the widow in handling all necessary affairs. He feels that it was a blessing to be part of such an experience.

Months earlier, Rob was unexpectedly involved in two life saving rescue missions at sea involving Coast Guard Choppers.

Rob was also honored to be part of an expedition on the Columbia and Snake Rivers led by researchers at the Woods Hole Oceanographic Institute in Cape Cod, MA. Scientists from around the world were studying the effects of climate change on our world's major rivers.

In Alaska, Rob has built wonderful relationships with business owners and locals in numerous communities. 

He has helped hikers and kayakers to see several of Alaska's less charted territories. Among them are Fords Terror, Pavlof Harbor, Takatz Bay, Basket Bay Limestone Caves, Red Bluff Bay, Funter Bay, Loring, New Eddystone Rock, Five Finger Lighthouse, Brothers Island, Corner Bay, Dawes Glacier, Sawyer Glacier, Thomas Bay, Baird Glacier, Tracey Arm, Sawyer Glacier South, Sanford Cove, Goddard Hot Springs, Le Conte and Shakes Glaciers. 

Rob has also led tours to the Mendenhall Glacier, Alaska State Museum, Shrine of St. Therese, Fortress of the Bear,  Alaska Raptor Center, Sitka National Historic Park, Wrangell Museum, Chief Shakes Home, Wrangell Petroglyph Beach, Sheldon Jackson Museum, Petersburg's Clausen Museum, Creek Street - Ketchikan, Dolly's House, Haines Bald Eagle Preserve, and the Hammer Museum. Rob has traveled on multiple jetboat rides on the Stikine River in Wrangell and on the Chilkat River in Haines. 

Rob has been on multiple cruises to the San Juan Islands in Washington. There he's led tours to Roche Harbor, Friday Harbor, Krystal Acres Alpaca Farm, Lime Kiln State Park, South Beach, Sculpture Park, Afterglow Mausoleum, American Camp, Fort Casey, Snoqualmie Falls, La Conner Tulip Fields, & Boeing.  

Rob has journeyed several times on the Columbia & Snake Rivers, and Hell's Canyon through Oregon, Washington and Idaho. His onshore excursions include Mt. St. Helen's,  Bonneville Dam, Sturgeon Viewing Center, Maryhill Museum, Multnomah Falls, Mt. Hood Railroad, Astoria Column, Fort Clatsop, Lewis & Clark Interpretive Center, Columbia River Maritime Museum, Cape Disappointment, St. Helen's Halloweentown, Sacajawea Museum, REACH Museum, & Hell's Canyon Nature Conservancy.

Rob Ekno is a seasoned SAG Actor, whose recent work has included roles in movies with stars Dean Cain and Eddie McClintock.  Rob is also a producer, TV Host, and podcast host. He spent nearly 15 years as a producer and host of TV shopping programs seen across the country and globally. He was the Executive Producer at two of those networks.

Rob guided an antiquated radio newsroom into an Associated Press Award-Winner. He received another AP award for his reporting. In addition, he was the Public/Media Relations Director for two professional sports teams.

Rob is currently enjoying acting in various themed films and TV shows. He's also focused on bringing his vision to life thru his award-winning screenplay’s, along with the Reality TV concepts that he's created from his adventurous experiences during his 10 years in Alaska.

Most notably, Rob is in development on a documentary based on his award-winning speech: The Book You're Dying NOT To Write, which has garnered great excitement from Hollywood and beyond.

For three years, Rob was the Executive Producer and host of the  popular worldwide talk show, In Your Face, which aired M-F in 99 countries on Indie 104.com. 269 episodes are on Apple podcasts.

 Rob appeared on Fox & Friends in New York as a finalist to become America's Next Great Pitchman.

He's also been seen on KTLA News - Los Angeles, Spike TV, Discovery ID, Current TV, Facebook News TV, Biz.TV, and more.

Rob was blessed to spend four seasons on the NBC sitcom, NewsRadio and was the only actor other than the regular cast to have a part on Phil Hartman's last show. A chapter in Rob's book: Cruising Toward Heaven...Navigating From Rough Seas To Miraculous Adventures, is dedicated to Rob's behind the scenes relationship with Phil and their final conversation.

Rob has reported for the CBS Radio Network, Associated Press Radio Network, WEEI-AM 590 in Boston, and served as the News/Sports Director for WWLI-FM  and WEAN-AM in Providence, RI. He's covered events featuring three U.S. Presidents.

Rob was the Executive Producer/weekend host of the nationally syndicated, nightly sports show, The Sports Final out of Boston. He reported on the Boston Red Sox, Boston Celtics, Boston Bruins, the New England Patriots, the PGA, NASCAR, World Series, Super Bowl, and many other events. 

Rob has interviewed numerous professional athletes and celebrities. He's produced and hosted the Brown University football half-time show. Rob was the top-rated nighttime radio personality in Southern New England on the former RI-104 FM, after beginning his broadcasting career in high school. He helped start WCVY-FM, one of America's first high school radio stations, at his alma mater Coventry HS. 

Rob has worked on TV and/or radio in Los Angeles, CA - New York, NY - Boston, MA - Worcester, MA - Austin, TX - Providence, RI  & Juneau, AK.

Rob is the author and narrator of an Audible best-selling audio book and a multi-award-winning author. He’s also a multi-award-winning screenwriter and broadcaster, as well as an award-winning speaker. He recently published his fifth book: The Book You’re Dying NOT To Write...Approaching Your Unapproachable Calling In Life, which is based on his award-winning speech of the same name. Rob is currently in the running for the opportunity to be named “2025 Author of the Year,” an honor for which he’s extremely grateful. Rob is tremendously blessed to have been honored with the Gold Medal at 2024 INTERNATIONAL IMPACT BOOK AWARDS for his third book: Cruising Toward Heaven...Navigating From Rough Seas To Miraculous Adventures, in the "Addiction and Recovery" category. The book chronicles Rob's life from homeless addict to long-term sobriety.

BEYOND ADDICTED, the faith-based screenplay inspired by CTH, was honored as the BEST SCRIPT at the 2024 Christian Film Festival. 

Rob's fourth book, Cruising Toward Heaven 2: A Spiritual Odyssey Into Life-Saving Rescues, was honored with a Gold Medal in the 2024 CHRISTIAN BOOK AWARDS and is the inspiration for Rob's third faith-based screenplay, STEPPING INTO GLORY, awarded QUARTER FINALIST in the Family & Faith Film Festival.

Another blessing for Rob is that he was awarded Most Dedicated Speaker of the Year by Thought-Leader, after a nationwide competition. Since then, Rob has been busy speaking at live events and as a guest on TV & radio shows and podcasts, sharing his message of becoming the best we can be, along with overcoming addictions. Rob's first screenplay, CRUISING TOWARD HEAVEN, inspired by his best-selling audio book, Is It God Or Coincidence?...Coming To Grips With The Unexpected Wonders In Life,  won BEST SCREENPLAY and BEST WRITER awards in the 2024 CHRISTIAN FILM FESTIVAL. The book was honored as one of six Finalists in the "General Spirituality" category by the BEST BOOK AWARDS.   

Rob is currently writing his 5th book: Cruising Toward Heaven 3...Seeking Serenity Amid Turbulent Seas, which is projected to be published in 2025.

Rob is also working on his sixth book: The Book You're Dying NOT To Write, which was the topic of his award-winning speech.

In addition to his writings, Rob has been a public and motivational speaker for more than 30 years. His energetic personality comes to life as a powerful and inspiring speaker and live event Emcee. He has spoken on stages at sold-out arenas and Las Vegas conventions. 

One of the blessings of being a speaker and an author is that Rob has the opportunity to share his experiences with others looking to move forward in their careers. In following his dreams, he continues to meet other like-minded people who look to him for motivation.

Putting his more than 32 years of sobriety to work, Rob has been blessed to help others heal numerous challenging situations in their lives, especially those dealing with addictions. He's always seeking  individuals that he can provide assistance to on their roads of recovery. Rob was invited to host Juneau, Alaska’s, first two Annual Recovery Fest's. He was honored to Emcee the events while working with Mayor Sanford, State Senator Kito, and other prominent city leaders. 

Rob has appeared on numerous inspirational TV and radio programs including The 700 Club, Hour of Power, and Open Up Live.

In addition, Rob is hands-on when it comes to helping others. One of his more notable projects was heading the Hope Center at the former Crystal Cathedral in Orange, CA.  Rob lead a group of volunteers who provided a weekly meal, clothing, toiletries, haircuts, job search skills, counseling, medical assistance, and free legal aid to those in need. Before each meal, Rob shared stories with guests about his recovery from his previous partying lifestyle that led him to a life of homelessness. 

Rob's first published book is titled: "God, Bless America...Before It's Too Late. It focuses on each of us becoming our best for ourselves, our country, and most importantly, God.

Continuing to grow and focus on what he can do to to make his part of the world a little better each day is Rob's goal. 

Please send a note on the CONTACT page to book Rob as a guest on your next show or to have him speak at your next event.