Robert Brown
Director, Bay Area Region and CA Regional Affairs
Western States Petroleum Association
As Director, Bay Area Region for the Western States Petroleum Association (WSPA), Bob leads the non-profit trade association’s advocacy and regulatory efforts on behalf of the five major oil refineries in the nine county region. He develops leadership partners, community engagement strategies, public awareness initiatives and issue analysis on behalf of the non-profit energy sector’s association. Bob’s efforts intersect at the local, state and federal level. In addition Bob oversees efforts of regional leaders in the Central Valley and Coastal areas (Production) and South Coast (Refining).
Prior to joining WSPA in 2016, Bob led AAA Northern California, Nevada and Utah’s corporate communications, community relations and advocacy efforts. He managed the auto club’s reputational external initiatives in subject areas including traffic safety, transportation, insurance and energy.
Bob also has experience in media, community and government relations with the U.S. Senate, the California Legislature and California Department of Consumer Affairs. Bob serves on a number of diverse state and regional boards - including the East Bay Leadership Council (past Chair) and the East Bay Economic Development Alliance infrastructure committee. He also serves on the UC Davis Dean’s Advisory Council and Contra Costa Community College Citizens’ Bond Oversight Committee. He is a past Board member of the California Contractors State License Board, East Bay Regional Parks Foundation and past chair of the Walnut Creek Chamber of Commerce & Visitors Bureau.
Bob is a graduate of the University of California, Davis, grew up in Lafayette, and is a resident of Walnut Creek where he resides with his wife Kim and their two sons.
About WSPA: The Western States Petroleum Association (WSPA) is a non-profit trade association representing twenty-six companies that explore for, produce, refine, transport and market petroleum, petroleum products, natural gas and other energy supplies in California, Arizona, Nevada, Oregon, and Washington.
