Bob Bennett
Bob Bennett chairs the GridMatrix Advisory Board. In addition to his duties at GridMatrix, he chairs the Cities Today Institute, a city collaborative that assists city leaders to prepare for a livable, sustainable, connected and resilient future.
He is the Principal and founder of B2 Civic Solutions, an international Smart Cities consultancy firm based in Parkville, MO, and serves as a Senior Fellow at the Digital Governing Institute. Among his clients are the University of Missouri System, where he is synchronizing innovation efforts associated with advanced research in microelectronics, critical elements and advanced technology workforce development across the state with private sector firms, non-profit agencies and community leaders. From 2016-2019, he served in Mayor Sly James’ administration as the Chief Innovation Officer for the City of Kansas City, Missouri. During his tenure, he oversaw the City’s Smart City initiatives including a 54-block comprehensive digitalization pilot, strategy development for the city and P3-based expansion plans for the City. Kansas City’s initiatives earned the City an Edison Award (Gold) for “Collective Disruption” and civic innovation in 2017, and Bob was named one of GovTech’s 25 Dreamers, Doers and Drivers in 2018. Before his role with the City, Bob completed a 25-year career in the US Army which included service as a Strategist, a Battalion Commander and multiple combat tours.