Robert is a child of the Great Plains, raised in a rural Kansas town where Midwest hospitality meets Main Street, USA — the kind of place that came into existence through Norman Rockwell’s brushstroke upon the prairie. His childhood was shaped by crisscrossing Kansas, visiting generations of family rooted across the state. Today, with his own children grown and beginning to branch out, the family’s Kansas footprint continues to expand.
Technology has always been Robert’s calling, nurtured by growing up alongside the birth of personal computing. From the time he was young, he was already writing code and designing programs to explore what was possible. After decades consulting with Fortune 500 companies, he now brings that expertise to the nonprofit sector, helping the Patterson Family Foundation strengthen its mission and amplify rural voices. As Director of Business Intelligence, he blends scalable technology with thoughtful analysis, turning complex data into clear, actionable insights. His approach ensures information guides the work and reveals opportunities, while keeping people and communities at the center of every conversation.
“A thriving rural community is one that carries forward the wisdom of generations while embracing the opportunities of today. It has strength rooted in resilience, but also the freedom to define its own future. To me, thriving means people lifting one another up, traditions enduring alongside innovation, and a shared resolve to create a place where the next generation can belong and prosper.”
