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Robbie’s Story
Robbie Bach joined Microsoft in 1988 and over the next 22 years worked in various marketing, general management and business leadership roles. Beginning in 1999, as Chief Xbox Officer, he led the creation and development of the highly successful Xbox video game business. Now in his new role as a “Civic Engineer,” Robbie believes we all have a responsibility to engage on civic issues and dedicates his time and energy to providing strategies, creative ideas, and consulting to organizations who are driving positive change in our communities. He speaks to corporate, academic and civic groups across the country and in 2015 completed his first book, Xbox Revisited: A Game Plan for Corporate and Civic Renewal.
During his time at Microsoft, Robbie began in product marketing and then worked at the European Headquarters in Paris, France as the company’s first American ex-patriate. He subsequently played an important role as a marketing leader in the successful launch and expansion of the Microsoft Office business. He then led the Xbox team from its startup phase all the way through to the launch of the award winning Xbox 360 console and the highly popular online gaming service, Xbox Live. He was ultimately responsible for Microsoft’s gaming, music, video, phone, and retail sales businesses when he retired from Microsoft in 2010 as the President of the Entertainment and Devices Division.
His speaking credits include multiple keynotes at the Consumer Electronics Show (CES) and the E3 Expo gaming conference. He has also keynoted the Boe Forum on Public Affairs and guest lectures regularly at schools such as UCLA, Notre Dame, Boston College, Santa Clara University, Harvey Mudd, and Seattle University. He has served as the Morehead-Cain Alumni Visiting Distinguished Honors Professor at the University of North Carolina, co-teaching a class on public policy entrepreneurship.
Robbie was an Arjay Miller Scholar at the Stanford Graduate School of Business where he earned his MBA, and a Morehead Scholar at UNC where he graduated with highest honors in economics and was also named an Academic All-American on the Tar Heel’s tennis team.
He currently resides in Medina, Washington.
Organizations Served
As part of his civic and corporate commitments, Robbie serves on a number of nonprofit and for-profit boards:
National Board of Governors (2005-Present)
Board Chair 2008-2010
Board of Directors (1999-Present)
Board Chair 2004-2006
Board of Directors 2011 - Present
Board of Directors 2011 - Present
Board of Directors 2016 - Present
Board Chair 2018 - Present
Board of Advisors 2011 - 2015
Board of Directors 2012 - Present
Board of Directors 2011 - 2015
Co-Owner, 2014-Present