Rod Smith is an IBM fellow and Vice President of the IBM Emerging Internet Technologies organization, where he leads a group of highly technical innovators who are developing solutions to help organizations realize the value of big data. His early advocacy in the industry has played an important role in the adoption of technologies such as J2EE, Linux, Web services, XML, rich Internet applications, and various wireless standards.

As an IBM Fellow, Rod is helping lead IBM’s efforts around big data analytics and the application of IBM Watson like technologies to business solutions, helping companies make better decisions more quickly for improved business outcomes. His early identification of emerging technologies has led to a sustained record of achievement in the global software community. Rod has authored numerous invention patents and disclosures, and is the recipient of several prestigious awards, including the TJ Watson Design Excellence Award. He is also a long time member of the IBM Academy of Technology.

Rod is a Computer Science graduate of Western Michigan University, and holds a M.A. and B.A. in Economics with a concentration in Math from Western Michigan University.