February 25, 2024
Bob R. Brooks Jr., 61, Little Rock, Ark., died Feb. 11, 2024. Brooks was known to many in the equipment and event rental industry through his legislative advocacy work with the American Rental Association’s (ARA) government affairs team.
Brooks served in a variety of roles that supported public administration during his career, including as chief of staff for two U.S. Congressmen, as director of the Arkansas Ethics Commission by the appointment of former Gov. Mike Huckabee, and, at the time of his passing, as chief deputy attorney general of Arkansas by the appointment of Attorney General Tim Griffin.
For a significant portion of his career, Brooks served as a partner at Capitol Counsel, a Washington, D.C.-based lobbying and advocacy firm. ARA utilized Brooks’ legislative and legal expertise to forge relationships with influential members of the U.S. Congress and to help rental industry members’ voices be heard in Washington, D.C.
Brooks is survived by his parents, Bob and Cindy Brooks; sister, Sabra Brooks (Rex) Curry; nephew, Ryan Brooks (Megan) Curry; great-nephew, Rex Grayson Curry; and many other family members in his hometown of Fort Smith, Ark.
