Robert O'Brien Jr.

My Story

  Robert J. O’Brien Jr. was born on the south side of Chicago, Illinois in 1948.  He is the first born (of five children) of Gerry McCarthy O’Brien and Robert J. O’Brien.  He was raised on the south side of the city, attending St Philip Neri for grammar school, and started high school at St. Ignatius Prep.  At the age of 16, his family moved to the northern suburbs, where he finished his high school education at Loyola Academy. 

Bob attended college at the University of Notre Dame, graduating with a Bachelor’s Degree in Economics.  Upon graduating in 1970, he immediately started working for the family commodity brokerage firm, R. J. O’Brien & Associates, at the Chicago Mercantile Exchange.  While working, he also continued his education by attending Loyola of Chicago law school at night, where he earned his JD degree in 1976.
 
Back in 1970, RJO employed five people.  Working closely with his father and brother, R.J. O’Brien & Associates has grown, and it is now the oldest and largest independent futures brokerage firm in the U.S, employing approximately 550 people in Chicago and all over the world.  During his tenure at RJO, Bob served, at times, as President, and as head of research and director of the agricultural division.  He is a shareholder and a member of the Board of Directors.  Bob is also the owner of County Cork, LLC, a commodity trading company.

  Bob has been married to his wife Rita Ribordy O’Brien for 29 years, and together they have four children.