Robert Fisk, Jr.

Robert F. Fisk Jr. is an American businessman, political leader, animal rights advocate, and former Maine state legislator.

Early life and education

Fisk was born in the late 1940s and raised in New England. He pursued higher education at the University of New Hampshire, where he earned a Bachelor of Arts in physical education, graduating magna cum laude in 1971. During his time at the university, Fisk was actively involved in varsity basketball and was a member of Tau Kappa Epsilon fraternity. He later obtained a master's degree in recreational management from the University of Connecticut in 1972.

Career

Fisk began his professional career in education and athletics as an instructor, intramural activity director, and assistant basketball coach at Eastern Connecticut State University (ECSU) from 1973 to 1977. He was also the head basketball coach for ECSU's NESCAC tournament in 1979. Concurrently, he worked as a tennis instruction professional during the summers between 1973 and 1980.

Throughout the 1980s and 1990s, Fisk founded and managed several successful fitness centers across Maine and Connecticut. His ventures included the Nautilus Fitness Center in Portland, Maine (1982), Midcoast Fitness Center in Bath, Maine (1983), and Total Look beauty and fitness centers in Fairfield and Southport, Connecticut (1984-1985).

In 1986, Fisk purchased the Portland Athletic Club (later renamed Tennis of Maine). He expanded the club into a complete recreational facility, offering a wide range of sports, fitness activities, and community services. By 1994, it had become one of the largest health and racquet clubs in New England. The facility then became a venue for various political, civic, and nonprofit events and hosted fundraisers for political candidates, including Arlen Specter, John McCain, and Susan Collins.

Fisk's political career began in the 1970s, when he ran as a candidate for the Connecticut House of Representatives in 1976 and became a Town Chairman from 1974 to 1981. He was also the Operations and Delegate Director for Searle Field's congressional campaign in 1978.

In 1996, Fisk was elected to the Maine House of Representatives, representing Falmouth and Cumberland in the 118th Maine State Legislature. Serving on the State and Local Government committees, he focused on issues such as environmental protection, campaign reform, small business support, and animal welfare. He was later recognized as one of the top ten environmental legislators by the Maine Audubon Society during his term.

Maine Friends of Animals (MFOA)

In 1997, Fisk founded Maine Friends of Animals (MFOA) after recognizing the need for a state-based organization to advocate for animal protection in Maine. As the organization's executive director and lobbyist, he led efforts to promote the humane treatment of animals through education, legislation, and advocacy.

MFOA became a national model for state-based animal protection organizations. In 2001, he received the National Legislative Achievement Award from the Humane Society of the United States for his work advancing animal protection legislation in Maine. Notably, Maine's animal welfare laws were ranked #1 in the nation for three consecutive years by the Animal Legal Defense Fund.

Fisk played a central role in two highly publicized statewide referendums aimed at banning the killing of Maine black bears using bait, hounds, or traps. As campaign director and spokesperson, he led the 2003-2004 and 2014 efforts, which sparked national debates between animal rights groups and hunting interests.