Robert Fast, Chief Technology Officer

Professional Overview

Robert Fast is an accomplished Chief Technology Officer with extensive experience in the oil and gas industry. He is renowned for his strategic leadership, technical expertise, and ability to drive innovation and operational excellence. As CTO of Hess Corporation, he oversees the company's technology initiatives and spearheads the development of cutting-edge solutions to enhance productivity, efficiency, and sustainability.

Experience Summary

Current Role

Chief Technology Officer, Hess Corporation (2018-01-01 to Present)

Responsible for setting the technology vision and roadmap for Hess Corporation, a leading global independent energy company

Leads a team of over 200 technology professionals focused on developing and implementing advanced digital solutions, data analytics, and process optimization initiatives

Guided the company's successful transition to cloud-based platforms, improving operational agility and productivity by 25%

Championed the development of a predictive maintenance program that has reduced unplanned downtime by 18% across the organization

Career Progression

Vice President, Guyana, Hess Corporation (2017-01-01 to 2018-01-01)

Oversaw the company's operations and expansion efforts in the emerging Guyana market, contributing to the discovery and development of significant oil and gas reserves

Vice President - Offshore Americas and West Africa, Hess Corporation (2014-03-01 to 2016-12-01)

Directed the strategic planning and execution of offshore projects in the Americas and West Africa regions, driving operational efficiency and project delivery

Technology Manager, ExxonMobil (1987-05-01 to 2009-07-01)

Served in various technical and leadership roles, gaining deep expertise in upstream and downstream operations, process optimization, and technology implementation

Academic Background

Robert Fast holds a Bachelor of Science in Petroleum Engineering from the University of Texas at Austin, where he graduated with Magna Cum Laude honors.

Areas of Expertise

Oil and gas technology strategy and implementation

Digital transformation and data-driven decision making

Upstream and downstream operations management

Project management and cross-functional team leadership

Technological innovation and process optimization

Professional Impact

Instrumental in the successful integration of emerging technologies, such as data analytics and automation, to drive operational improvements across Hess Corporation's global assets

Actively serves on the Board of Advisors for the Innovation Research Interchange, contributing his expertise to advance industry-wide innovation

Providing gratuitous service as an advisor to the Defense Advanced Research Projects Agency (DARPA), leveraging his technical know-how to support national security initiatives

Conclusion

With his exceptional technical acumen, strategic vision, and collaborative leadership style, Robert Fast is poised to continue driving Hess Corporation's technological transformation and positioning the company for long-term success in the evolving energy landscape.