Robert Williamson

Technical leader in engineering and marketing with a focus on advanced systems

Robert Williamson, an experienced biotech executive with an impressive track record for building successful companies, is seeking new opportunities on the West Coast. With expertise in financing, non-dilutive partnerships, business development, M&A, public and private boards, and investor relations, Williamson has led the growth, IPO, financing, commercial ramp-up and sale of numerous biotech companies. Notably, his leadership was instrumental in the successful sale of Pharmasset to Gilead for $11B.

Williamson studied for an MBA at Stanford University Graduate School of Business and holds a BA from Pomona College. He is the owner of LaSalle Venture Advisers and has held executive positions and board memberships at companies including Rickshaw Therapeutics, Aegle Therapeutics, Naia Limited, Arriva Pharmaceuticals, Eos Biotechnology, and BrainCells, Inc. Williamson has also served as the committee chair and director at Progen Pharmaceuticals Limited and Pharmasset, Inc., and has been a consultant and adviser to BioVerdant, HX Diagnostics, Inc., Nodality, Inc., and DoubleTwist, Inc.

With a focus on building companies through partnerships, private funding, and public capital markets, Williamson is adept at communicating complex financial and strategic concepts. He is a former committee chairman and has significant public board and committee chairman experience. Williamson is seeking C-level opportunities that can leverage his expertise and can be reached at RobW@LaSalleAdvisers.com.

Experience

Director of Engineering - Advanced Systems at Leonardo DRS (August 2020 - Present)

Vice President, Product Strategy at ColdQuanta, Inc. (December 2018 - August 2020), Director, Advanced Systems at G&H Photonics (January 2018 - December 2018), Director, Business and Product Development at G&H Photonics (July 2016 - January 2018), Director, Product Engineering and Marketing at Alfalight, Inc. (December 2003 - July 2016), Sr Manager, Business Development at Bookham Technology (2002 - 2003), Sr Engineering Manager at New Focus (2001 - 2002), Product Line Manager at New Focus (1999 - 2001), Research Program Manager at New Focus (June 1997 - December 1999), Research Fellow at University of Wisconsin-Madison (August 1991 - June 1997), Graduate Teaching Fellow at University of Wisconsin-Madison (August 1990 - May 1991), Research Fellow at NASA Jet Propulsion Laboratory (May 1988 - December 1990), Laboratory Teaching Assistant at Caltech (September 1989 - June 1990), Summer Research Intern at Caltech (May 1987 - May 1988)

Education

Ph.D. in Atomic/Molecular Physics from University of Wisconsin-Madison (1990 - 1997), B.S. in Physics, with honor from Caltech (1986 - 1990), Electronics Engineering from Don Bosco Technical Institute (1983 - 1986)