Robert "Bob" LaRose, who launched three successful Washington-area technology firms, died unexpectedly Monday, according to Agilex Technologies, where he served as chief executive.
LaRose, 65, known as a mentor to many of the area’s technology and government leaders, co-founded Agilex Technologies with Jay Nussbaum in 2007, and referred to the company as his “third child” in an interview with the Washington Business Journal.
LaRose’s entrepreneurial success began in 1976, when he founded government contractor Advanced Technology, Inc. That firm was sold in 1988 to manufacturing company Emhart for $140 million. Emhart was eventually acquired by Black & Decker.
In 1989, LaRose launched Chantilly-based Integic, acquired by Northrop Grumman in 2005 for $319 million.
Advanced Technology grew to more than 2,000 employees before being acquired. Integic, which won a Greater Washington Government Contractor Award in 2004, had more than 600 employees by the time it was acquired.
“As a visionary leader, Bob was a once-in-a-lifetime inspiration to all of us,” said Nussbaum, who serves as chief operating officer at Agilex. “He will be remembered for his tenacity, compassion and for the opportunities he helped shape for all of us.”
LaRose founded and led the Fairfax County Public Schools Education Foundation, which helped establish the Thomas Jefferson High School for Science and Technology. He also founded the Integic Charitable Foundation, which supported causes for women and children.
Services for LaRose will be held at the Centreville United Methodist Church on Tuesday, Jan. 19, according to Agilex.