Like so many of us in Refining/Petrochem/Oil & Gas, his career has paralleled the price of crude oil. Born and educated as a "Kiwi", he emigrated to the USA, where he spent most of his professional career (except for eight years in the 80's in N.Z. teaching Process Design then working in a $1.2 billion Synfuels plant). Now he is working in the United Arab Emirates.

His career began in 70's & 80's in EPC, teaching Chemical & Materials Eng'rg then plant operations; 90's in R&D and Corporate HSE; federal consulting 1998-2005. Now he's back in Houston doing EPC design and consulting, grounded in Value Improving Practices and Stage-Gated Design.

Because of the resurgence in demand for clean fuels, refining capacity, and heavy oil projects, Bob was on the design team for the first new US refinery in 30 years, alongside the last one built. He was HSE team lead for a Middle East gas platform, and onshore arctic oil oil & gas processing.

Bob is a "Society of Industrial Leaders" invited member in the refining/petrochemical sector.  In 2006 he founded Kiwi's Edge, LLC for his professional consulting and an "Expert Witness".services

Bob enjoys all of his work, particularly when it involves inter-disciplinary or intellectual challenges. One key to his professional satisfaction is involvement in technical advocacy of sound science at API - developing Refinery MACT guidance - and in PERF shared environmental projects & forums.

His skills and intellect are sustained by professional and civic association activity, plus University-level teaching: as a full-time Senior Lecturer from 1983-1985, part-time as Research Adjunct in 2002-2004, Teaching Adjunct in 2006, and Process Design Curriculum advisor for Rice.