Mark DeSantis (businessman)
Mark DeSantis | |
|---|---|
| Born | June 16, 1959 United States |
| Occupation(s) | Technology entrepreneur, academic |
| Known for | CEO of Bloomfield Robotics, founder of RoadBotics, kWantix, kWantera; former CEO of Think Through Learning; US Managing Director for ANGLE Technology, PLC |
Mark DeSantis (born June 16, 1959) is a prominent American technology entrepreneur currently serving as the CEO of Bloomfield Robotics and acting as an advisor to MIR Ventures based in Palo Alto. He played a key role in founding and managing RoadBotics, a company specializing in AI-powered road infrastructure management. Prior to this, he co-established kWantix, an energy-focused hedge fund, along with kWantera, a predictive analytics company in the energy sector supported by GE Ventures. DeSantis also held the position of CEO at Think Through Learning, an online tutoring platform backed by venture capital, and was the US Managing Director for ANGLE Technology, PLC, a venture capital firm headquartered in the United Kingdom. He lives in Pittsburgh and was a Republican mayoral candidate there in 2007.
Earlier in his career, DeSantis was the Director of Government Relations for Texas Instruments in Washington DC and occupied senior policy positions within the White House Office of Science and Technology Policy as well as the U.S. Department of Commerce during President George H.W. Bush’s administration. His experience also includes working on Senator John Heinz’s staff and beginning his professional journey as a management consultant at Booz Allen Hamilton.
DeSantis spearheaded "Citizens for Democratic Reform," a Republican-led campaign that successfully consolidated Allegheny County row offices from ten to four in 2005.
In academia, he serves as an adjunct professor at Carnegie Mellon University's College of Engineering and Heinz College and has delivered lectures at both Princeton University and Dartmouth College. His educational background includes a Bachelor’s degree and MBA from the University of Dayton, a Master’s degree in Technology Management from The American University, a PhD in Public Policy from George Mason University’s Schar School, and a Doctorate in Business Administration from Temple University’s Fox School of Business. Additionally, he holds board memberships with the Regional Industrial Development Corporation and Allies for Children.
In recognition of his achievements, DeSantis was honored as Pittsburgh's "Entrepreneur of the Year" in 2009.
Awards and honors
| Award | Year |
|---|---|
| Pittsburgh Business Times Entrepreneur of the Year | 2009 |