Rob is the Senior Director of Partnerships for the Microsoft Energy & Resources team. He is responsible for identifying and engaging energy industry partners who can work alongside Microsoft to accelerate energy transition and digitalization. Previously, Rob led the Energy Acceleration Program for Microsoft’s engineering organization. Working with customers and partners, Rob focused on identifying and implementing new digital solutions for the industry.   Rob is also the Site Lead for Microsoft’s Houston office at the ion. He is responsible for site operations, employee engagement, and ensuring strong community & ecosystem support and collaboration. The Microsoft team at the Ion is driving industry digitalization and transformation through deep partnerships, research, and innovation. They are also taking a leadership role in growing Houston’s technology ecosystem and in empowering Houston’s diverse workforce.   Rob serves as the Vice-Chair of the Ion Leadership Advisory Roundtable, which is focused on making the ion ‘the home for Houston’s Innovation community.’ He also serves as an advisor to the DivInc Clean Energy Accelerator, the Rice Alliance Clean Energy Accelerator, and Greentown Labs Houston.   Rob has been with Microsoft for about 4 years. Previously, Rob spent 17 years at ExxonMobil in a variety of technical and leadership roles in the Upstream business. A geologist by background, he also created an Upstream Innovation team within ExxonMobil. His team focused on rapidly delivering solutions that helped ExxonMobil increase profitability from exploration to production. He also worked to instill a culture of innovation by bringing an entrepreneurial mindset to all employees. Leveraging design thinking and lean startup, his team challenged paradigms, empowered others, and delivered value.   Rob earned a Bachelor of Science in Geology from Vanderbilt University and a Master of Science from the University of California Santa Cruz. He lives in the Woodlands, Texas with his wife and two sons (15 and 18 years old). Rob is a former Loaned Executive and Young Leaders Chair with United Way of Greater Houston. He is a mentor with Big Brothers Big Sisters. He is heavily involved with the following local organizations that promote innovation in underserved communities: SUPERGirls Shine Foundation, DivInc, Level Up, and G-Unity Business Lab.