“Integrity, Service, and Leadership.”

Robert Marcum is a distinguished executive whose three-decade career at the intersection of global finance, energy innovation, and public sector transformation reflects a rare blend of technical prowess, strategic insight, and principled leadership. Guided by his personal motto, “Integrity, Service, and Leadership,” Bob has left an indelible mark across sectors as diverse as renewable energy, infrastructure, oil and gas, and critical mineral processing. His legacy is that of a pragmatic visionary, equally at ease navigating multibillion-dollar transactions as he is steering organizational change in some of the world’s most complex institutional settings.

Born with an engineer’s curiosity and a strategist’s mind, Bob began his professional journey after earning a Bachelor of Science in Mechanical Engineering from the University of Maryland, followed by an MBA from Georgetown University. These dual foundations equipped him with a powerful analytical lens and financial acumen, enabling him to synthesize intricate technical realities with the demands of large-scale capital management. These tools proved indispensable as he embarked on a career that would span the globe—from power plants in Latin America and refineries in Saudi Arabia to boardrooms in Washington, D.C.

Bob’s early career was shaped by hands-on roles with Wärtsilä Development & Financial Services, where he led international project development efforts and established joint ventures in Mexico, Jamaica, and Guyana. There, he built the financial structures and operational frameworks necessary to bring power to under-served communities—an early demonstration of his ability to convert policy into projects and strategy into action. At the Export-Import Bank of the United States, Bob matured into a senior dealmaker, underwriting and closing nearly $2 billion in debt across transformative projects including LNG infrastructure in Qatar, semiconductor plants in Singapore, and a major airport construction in Ecuador.

His career took a pivotal leap when he joined Saudi Aramco, where he served as the Finance Team Leader for the landmark $10 billion Yanbu Aramco Sinopec Refining Company (YASREF) project. As the chief negotiator, Bob successfully orchestrated a $3 billion equity partnership with China’s Sinopec and secured $7 billion in structured project financing. His work not only bridged continents but also cultures, and set a gold standard for transnational infrastructure finance. These accomplishments underscore his rare fluency in managing both the diplomacy and discipline of high-stakes negotiations.

In 2011, Bob returned to public service with the U.S. Department of Energy’s Loan Programs Office (LPO), where his ascent  through several roles to Deputy Director of the program over 13 years mirrored his expanding influence over U.S. energy policy and investment. As Director of the Portfolio Management Division, he oversaw a $32 billion portfolio and was the lead architect in managing distressed assets, recovering over $250 million in defaulted loans through strategic restructurings and negotiations. His tenure reflected both fiscal responsibility and an unwavering belief in second chances—for people, for projects, and for policy.

Elevated to Chief Operating Officer and then Deputy Director of the LPO, Bob became a cornerstone of one of the federal government’s most ambitious investment initiatives. He directed over $61 billion in loan closings and another $47 billion in conditional commitments, helping shepherd the administration’s clean energy transition through tangible financing mechanisms. His leadership was integral to expanding the LPO’s staff fourfold and doubling its operational budget—testament to both his strategic foresight and his effectiveness in building operational capacity at scale.

Notably, Bob’s role in Puerto Rico during its energy infrastructure rebuild showcased his ability to work across agencies, governments, and sectors. He secured over $2 billion in financing for solar PV and battery storage projects despite the challenges posed by the island utility’s bankruptcy and regulatory fragmentation. His efforts included site visits and community engagement with the Secretary of Energy, demonstrating his belief that transformative policy must also be human-centered and locally attuned.

International exposure has been a defining feature of Bob’s professional identity. From the Caribbean to Turkey, from Mexico to Saudi Arabia, his career has been shaped by a deep understanding of the nuances of local governance, global markets, and cross-cultural finance. He brings with him a working proficiency in Spanish and a comfort with multicultural business environments, allowing him to lead with empathy, clarity, and credibility on the world stage.

In 2025, Bob founded MarcBridge Global Advisory LLC, a platform through which he continues to provide governance and transaction advisory services to boards, project sponsors, and financial institutions. Whether serving as an independent director in restructurings, facilitating major debt financings, or designing robust loan programs, Bob remains committed to creating value through integrity, analytical rigor, and pragmatic leadership. His work ensures that capital is not only deployed efficiently, but responsibly.

Away from the boardroom, Bob is an avid scuba diver and cyclist—pursuits that mirror his professional ethos: the courage to explore the unknown, the discipline to stay the course, and the passion to go the distance. Though he is not currently serving on any formal boards, he is actively seeking opportunities where his decades of experience can support visionary organizations in achieving their long-term strategic goals. His desire to serve stems from a deep sense of responsibility—to use his accumulated knowledge not just for transactions, but for transformation.

Character:

Robert Marcum’s career is anchored in integrity and service. Whether in the public or private sector, his decisions consistently reflect a deep commitment to ethical leadership and delivering value to stakeholders.

Knowledge:

With a rare combination of engineering, finance, and executive leadership expertise, Bob brings a holistic understanding of infrastructure and energy ecosystems. His decisions are informed by both deep domain knowledge and an appreciation for systemic complexity.

Strategic:

Bob’s professional trajectory demonstrates visionary leadership, aligning mission-driven investment with national and international energy priorities. He is a master of organizational transformation and financial structuring at scale.