Robert has been a green business entrepreneur for over 40 years in algae, bamboo and carbon resources. He is CEO of Smart Microfarms, developing scalable microalgae systems for urban, vertical and rooftop farms and for high value algae food products that are local and sustainable. Operating a commercial microfarm in the San Francisco Bay Area CA and marketing SpiruSource® products.
Robert advises algae entrepreneurs, companies, investment and law firms in microalgae production and marketing, business plans, and marketing strategies.
A pioneer in algae production and marketing, he was a founder of Earthrise Farms, world’s largest spirulina algae farm. For 20 years as President of Earthrise Company, he promoted Earthrise® Spirulina and green superfoods in 30 countries.
Robert has visited algae farms and companies all over the world. Presents at conferences, writes for industry media and has produced over 20 educational videos. Voted Algae Ambassador in Algae Industry Magazine 2015 International Readers Poll.
In 2011 he launched the International Algae Competition: A Global Challenge to Design Visionary Algae Food and Energy Systems. He is co-author of the book "Imagine Our Algae Future - Visionary Algae Architecture and Landscape Designs" in 2012 (AlgaeCompetition.com).
In 2013 he published the book "Algae Microfarns - for community and urban gardens, rooftop, and vertical farms". How algae microfarms can transform our food culture by growing abundant healthy food in a very small area. (SmartMicrofarms.com)
Robert was the creator and director of the International Bamboo Building Design Competition (BambooCompetition.com). He is co-author of the book "Bamboo Architecture in Competition and Exhibition" in 2011.
He authored the book "Spirulina World Food" in 2010, revised in 2021, previously "Earth Food Spirulina", first published in 1989 and translated into 8 international editions. (SpirulinaSource.com).
Robert is a photographer (Panmagic.com) and documentary filmmaker, and produced the DVD series Folding Time and Space at Burning Man (Folding-Time.com). Co-Owner of Hana Gardenland, a botanical paradise retreat in Hana Maui (HanaPalmsRetreat.com) and Wild Thyme Farm, a sustainable forestry and permaculture farming eco-community near Olympia Washington. (WildThymeFarm.com).
