Rob Rawlings

Rob Rawlings retired in 2009 from a 20+ years military aviation career with the Army and Coast Guard. His helicopter and instructor pilot experience segued into working as a drone pilot for a defense contractor and ski resort operations in Utah.

In 2013, Rob and his wife Nicki became the parent of a child with Down syndrome.

In 2016, a move to Florida inspired Rob and his family to become involved with the non-profit start-up team of GiGi’s Playhouse, Tampa which opened to the community in 2018. GiGi’s Playhouse is a Down syndrome Achievement Center. Rob pursued a lifelong dream, to become a professionally trained Chef. Rob enrolled in the Culinary Program at the Art Institute of Tampa and graduated in 2018. Rob used his culinary education and degree to launch the GiGi’s Playhouse Tampa Culinary Program in their Inspire Kitchen, teaching life and food service skills to adults and teens with Down syndrome.

In 2020, through his work with GiGi’s Playhouse, Rob connected with a philanthropic Tampa Bay area helicopter aviation company, Vertical Flight. Inspired by the company’s core values, Rob resurrected his aviation career and began flying helicopter commercial contracted photography flights. As a pilot and through the generosity of the company, Rob has been able to support numerous area non-profits flying fundraising operations and donating scenic helicopter tours.

In 2021, Rob was inspired by the work of the nonprofit, The Warrior Connection (TWC). Rob and Vertical Flight have supported fundraising opportunities to bring attention to the mission of supporting and connecting Veterans and their families to critical mental health and therapeutic services.

Rob is married to Nicki, a retired Federal Drug Agent, and they have a daughter named Elle, who has Down syndrome. Rob is also the father to Ali, a current chiropractic school student, in Davenport, Iowa.