Background
Underwood, Robert Leigh was born on December 31, 1944 in Paducah, Kentucky, United States. Son of Robert Humphreys and Nancy Wells (Jessup) Underwood.
Underwood, Robert Leigh was born on December 31, 1944 in Paducah, Kentucky, United States. Son of Robert Humphreys and Nancy Wells (Jessup) Underwood.
Bachelor of Science with great distinction (Alcoa scholar), Stanford University, 1965, Master of Science (National Aeronautics and Space Administration fellow), 1966, Doctor of Philosophy (National Science Foundation fellow), 1968. Master of Business Administration, Santa Clara University, 1970.
Research scientist, project leader Lockheed Missiles & Space Company, Sunnyvale, California, 1967-1971. Special assistant for engineering science Office Secretary, Department Transportation, Washington, 1971-1973. Senior management associate Office Management and Budget, Executive Office President, 1973.
With Thompson Ramo Wooldridge Incorporated., Los Angeles, 1973-1979, director retail national accounts, 1977-1978, director product planning and development, 1978-1979.
President, Chief Executive Officer OMEX, Santa Clara, California, 1980-1982. Vice president Heizer Corporation, Chicago, 1979-1985.
Vice president Northern Trust Company, president Northern Capital Corporation, Chicago, 1985-1986. Managing partner ISSS Ventures, 1986-1988.
Executive vice president North America Business Development Company, Chicago, 1988.
Director various private public portfolio companies, MECC 1991-1996. Trustee Burridge Mutual Funds, 1996-1998. Member of advisory committee industrial innovation National Science Foundation,1982-1996.
Member school board Avoca District 37, 1990, vice president, 1996.
Member advanced.bd. Leavey School Business and Administration Santa Clara University, 1995.
School board Avoca District 37, 1990—1999, vice president, 1996—1999. Advisory board Leavy School Business and Administration Santa Clara University, 1995—2010. Advisory committee on industrial innovation National Science Foundation, 1982—1996.
Trustee Kenilworth Union Church, since 2003, president, since 2010. Elder Presbyterian Church, 1978—1979. Member of Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers, Farmington Country Club (Charlottesville, Virginia), Indian Hill Club (Winnetka, Illinois), Union League Chicago, Beta Gamma Sigma, Tau Beta Pi, Phi Beta Kappa, Sigma Xi.
Married Susan Lynn Doscher, May 22, 1976. Children: Elizabeth Leigh, Dana Whitney, George Gregory.