Based in San Francisco, Robert is a foodie who loves to cook (heavy on the mushrooms!) who can often be found traveling to Europe and Asia, and is always in search of ways to cultivate his entrepreneurial spirit.

With his love of truffles and science leading the way, Robert founded the American Truffle Company® (ATC) in 2007. He quickly made a splash in the industry with his rigorous application of scientific methodologies to help American growers cultivate European truffles and maximize their yields. Robert brings his technical training (B.S. in Electrical Engineering and minor in Biology, M.S. in Electrical Engineering and qualified for the Ph.D. program, all from Stanford University) to continually push the scientific envelope in truffle cultivation. He has used his experience and knowledge in technology and engineering to help ATC client-partners design and implement state of the art systems to fine-tune successful truffle cultivation.

Robert also brings with him extensive experience from his years in Silicon Valley in sales, marketing, and business development, all of which he has applied to developing deep relationships with major segments of truffle users nationwide. He continues to build brand recognition and relationships with leading chefs and truffle end users, central to the successful distribution of truffles produced by ATC’s client-partners. Robert holds an MBA from Stanford University Graduate School of Business and is a sought-after speaker about truffles at food and wine festivals and mycological societies around the country.

In 2010, Robert and ATC debuted the Napa Truffle Festival in celebration of the Périgord truffle and to bring ATC’s valuable learnings to a larger audience. While a truffle’s story often ends on a bed of pasta, Robert’s story continues as the Chief Truffle Officer and Managing Director at the helm of Napa Truffle Festival and American Truffle Company®.

For more information, visit American Truffle Company® or get in touch through info@americantruffle.com.