Meet Rob Griffiths, aka Son of Beemer

Rob Griffiths, Pratt & Whitney’s vice president for GTF MRO Operations & Industrial Management and a 20+ year motorcycle rider earned this nickname through his membership with the Hartford Chapter of the National Association of Buffalo Soldiers and Troopers Motorcycle Club (NABSTMC). His nickname S.O.B, an acronym for Son of Beemer, is a nod to being one of only two BMW bike riders in the group. The other member, Beemer (no familial relation), is the chapter vice president.

BMW approached the two gentlemen and asked them to participate in a five-part mini-series called “R 18 Heritage Road” for their new R 18 motorcycle. BMW backdrops the product announcement by complementing it with the NABSTMC’s passion for promoting and remembering the Buffalo Soldiers.

As the Hartford chapter website states, “One of our key objectives is to educate the community, schools and civic groups about the history and legacy of the Buffalo Soldiers of the U.S. Army 9th and 10th Calvary Regiments, which came into existence in 1866 through an act of Congress.”

While the legacy of the Buffalo Soldiers is more prominent in the West, as they were the ones who helped new settlers explore the new frontier, West Point is a strong connection in the Northeast. The soldiers helped to train new cadets, especially when it came to equestrian skills. As such, the series culminates in Beemer and S.O.B. re-tracing the steps of the Buffalo Soldiers – but this time riding their R 18 iron horses to West Point.

While leather vests and motorcycles may seem like a different culture to P&W, Rob says there are more similarities than one would think. “When I think about heritage, it’s really a respect for the past. It gives context,” he shared. “Having the knowledge of how things have come to be is really important. And then legacy is the mark you want to leave, the chapter, the sentence you write after you pass.”

One big commonality is both the club and P&W’s focus on inclusion. Rob states, “As members of the club, we all have a common interest, riding motorcycles. But, at our meetings, the importance of being mindful, listening and leveraging varying viewpoints is not lost. The different perspectives and depths add to the appreciation of each person – they help to show that there is more to a person than meets the eye. We all have perspectives to bring to the table. This stands true at P&W too.”

Another similarity is the club’s emphasis on being part of a team and having a shared set of values. Rob explains, “Being a part of the motorcycle club is about much more than wearing the same jacket. When you’re riding as a group and you see the person ahead of you, you are reminded that you are part of a ‘collective’ with purpose and group consciousness. You manage distractions and remain focused on the ride to ensure everyone stays safe. Similarly, when collaborating at work in our offices and on the shop floor, we do our part as trusted colleagues and teammates.”  At P&W, we pride ourselves on upholding our values of safety, trust, respect and integrity.

Check out Rob’s profile on BMW’s “R 18 Heritage Road” on Instagram at @bmwmotorradusa.