
Education
Robert Ufer graduated from Ann Arbor High School in 1967. He obtained his undergraduate degree from Yale University (Phi Beta Kappa, Magna Cum Laude, with honors and exceptional distinction in economics) in 1971, and a law degree from Harvard University in 1974.
Practice of Law
Bob joined the Detroit firm of Dickinson, Wright (“DW”) in 1974 and became a partner in 1981, specializing in the representation of closely-held corporations, real estate and commercial litigation. Earlier on, he also practiced sports law and environmental law. In November, 1983, Bob became the first attorney in the history of Dickinson Wright to argue a case before the Supreme Court of the United States. Case No. 82‑960, NLRA v. City Disposal Systems, Inc. In 1984, he left DW with Tony Spaniola to develop his practice in a more entrepreneurial setting. Bob and Tony founded their own firm in 1987, and Bob is still a member of Ufer, Spaniola & Frost, P.C. (the “Firm”).
Professional Hockey
While remaining of counsel to the Firm, Bob left the full-time practice of law in 1994 to become President, CEO and Commissioner of the International Hockey League (“IHL”), which was a “triple A” minor league for professional hockey in the United States and Canada. He was nicknamed the “Skating Commissioner” (cheesy, but good marketing), and served in that capacity until 1998.
Franchise Businesses
In 2000, Bob joined with two other member owners to form Service Brands International, L.L.C. located in Ann Arbor, Michigan, became an owner in Molly Maid, Inc. Bob served as president of SBI from its inception until early 2009, when he was appointed Co-Chairman. Building on success they experienced with Molly Maid, Inc., SBI developed additional service business, franchise concepts, and provided hundreds of people with the opportunity to realize their dream of owning their own business(es). The SBI family of companies ultimately included Molly Maid, Mr. Handyman International, L.L.C., ProTect Painters International, L.L.C., Certified Restoration DryCleaning Network, L.L.C., Ductz International, L.L.C. and 1-800-DryClean, L.L.C. In 2007, Bob and his SBI partners purchased a 50% ownership interest in PuroSystems, L.L.C., a restoration fire and water cleanup franchise concept.
Over the years, many of these companies were sold. Then, in June, 2015, SBI had a liquidity event, selling Molly Maid, Mr. Handyman and ProTect Painters, comprised of approximately 750 franchise business territories, to a strategic purchaser, which owned other service business, franchise concepts.
Other Businesses
Software Development Companies
Since 2011, Bob has worked with Roger Rupp, the founding owner of The Solutions Group, Inc. (“TSG”), and became an owner, officer and director in 2012. TSG is a Michigan software development company, which creates and owns its own modular systems that can be reconfigured to meet individual customer needs in the variable data, printing industry. In 2023, TSG merged a portion of its business with ClicTell, and soon after ClicTell obtained a nationwide contract with a major automotive manufacturer. TSG’s remaining business has continued to grow in its traditional space.
Self Storage Facilities in Western Florida
Bob was one of the original owners of Swift Self Storage, LLC, which is a ±78,000 square foot self storage, single story, climate-controlled facility in Bradenton, Florida, with ±900 storage units. The market was sufficiently “hot” that the Bradenton property was sold before the end of its first year of operation. Bob and his partner built another storage facility, “Climate Guard,” in Port Charlotte, Florida, that opened in July, 2024.
Pointe Alarm and Detroit Fire Company
Bob is currently an owner and officer of Pointe Alarm, LLC (www.pointealarm.com), Detroit Fire Company, LLC (www.detroitfireco.com) and Controllor Systems Corporation (www.controllorsecurity.com). These companies provide both commercial and residential customers with state-of-the-art security, video monitoring and fire detection/alarm technologies, and related services. Pointe Alarm has expanded its real time, video/audio monitoring business to include mobile trailers with AI, video, and speaker capabilities.
Commercial Real Estate Ventures
Throughout his career Bob has also been personally involved in commercial real estate acquisitions and management in and around Ann Arbor, Michigan. Bob has also been involved in commercial real estate and apartment investments in Arizona, California and Florida.
Charitable
In 2017, Bob co-founded Washtenaw Promise (“WP”), a 501(c)(3) Michigan non-profit, with Tim Wilson, originally focusing on preschool, early literacy in the Ypsilanti/Willow Run communities, principally through volunteer mentors from the University of Michigan, Eastern Michigan University and Concordia University, as well as retirees and other volunteers. WP is helping to lead an early childhood literacy cooperative in Washtenaw County. WP has expanded into teacher wellness programs to support the emotional health and effectiveness of teachers from communities in southeastern Michigan. For further details on all WP programs and their impact on the communities, see the WP website: www.washtenawpromise.org.
In January, 2022, Bob purchased a former Boy Scout camp, consisting of 117 acres with plenty of wilderness on Bruin Lake in northwestern Washtenaw County. This camp and its facilities have been renamed “The Woodlands at Bruin Lake,” and now serves as WP’s “Center for Thriving Educators.” WP has already hosted professional development workshops for teachers, administrators, staff and local school superintendents from the Washtenaw Intermediate School District. In the summer of 2024, WP conducted its first intensive, three-day, project-based, STEM learning workshop for 14 local teachers. Plans are now underway for 2025 with at least three (3) intensive workshops, one in new teacher professional development, another School Beyond Walls™ STEM program, and a program for school administrators and staff. WP is also utilizing The Woodlands to increase outdoor and wilderness educational opportunities through play, learning, curiosity and interaction with nature, not just for schools, but also church groups, the Boy Scouts and other charitable organizations from southeastern Michigan.