Faculty & Scientific Staff

Robert Williams

Robert Williams, PhD

Former Director, Amazon Appstore

Dr. Williams started his career as a research scientist with GE, and holds 10 US patents in the fields of silicone chemistry, organometallic catalysis, and polymer chemistry. He was a General Manager for GE Plastics and Silicones businesses in Europe, and President of GE-Toshiba Silicones in Hong Kong, before returning to the US and joining Microsoft. At Microsoft, he held leadership positions in the Windows and Windows Phone product groups. Dr. Williams was with Amazon for six years as Director of the Amazon Appstore. Dr. Williams holds a BS in Chemistry from the University of North Carolina and a PhD in Organic Chemistry from Colorado State University. Dr. Williams serves on the External Advisory Board for the University of North Carolina Department of Chemistry, and the Finance and Sail Committees at the Seattle Yacht Club. He is the Chair of the Intellectual Property committee and a member of the BRI Scientific Review Committee.