Biography

With more than 35 years of experience in the information technology industry, Robert McDowell, vice president for Business Critical Solutions at Microsoft Corp., is focused on identifying critical business problems that can be solved through the application of Microsoft Technologies.

McDowell joined Microsoft in 1990 to establish Microsoft Consulting Services. In 1995 he became vice president of the Enterprise Customer Unit and served as vice president for enterprise business relationships from 1996 through 2000, working with many of Microsoft’s strategic large-enterprise customers. In 2000 he became vice president of Worldwide Services.

Before joining Microsoft, McDowell spent seven years as a partner with Ernst & Young, where he founded and managed its Strategic Business Systems practice. Before that he spent seven years as an information systems manager in the financial services industry and eight years working in information technology for the Department of Defense.

McDowell is the author of several articles on the impact of information technology on business and recently completed his second book, In Search of Business Value. His first book, Driving Digital, focuses on how companies can take advantage of the e-business era. McDowell holds a bachelor’s degree in economics from Virginia Military Institute and a master of science degree in business administration from Boston University.