Stephen Hoover, Xerox PARC

Stephen Hoover is CEO of PARC, a Xerox company, which is in "the business of breakthroughs". Hoover joined PARC in 2011. Practicing open innovation since being incorporated in 2002, PARC today provides custom R&D services, technology, specialized expertise, best practices, and intellectual property to Fortune 500 and Global 1000 companies, startups, and government. Hoover oversees PARC’s work for clients in diverse focus areas and competencies including networking, novel electronics, human-centered innovation services, cleantech, intelligent systems, contextual intelligence, and more.

Motivated by his passion for bridging functional silos, Hoover specializes in integrating technology, market, customer, and business opportunities – from fundamental R&D to commercial scale-up. As Vice President of the Xerox Research Center of Webster (New York), Hoover supported core and next-generation research and development. He later led the global organization responsible for the company's software and electronics development. In these roles, Hoover was responsible for multi-million dollar R&D investments and product strategy encompassing several platforms and market offerings. He has led long-term technology investments in grid and cloud computing, nanotech, mobile, the Future of Work, and advanced printing and mass customization technologies.

Dr. Hoover earned his Ph.D. and M.S. in Mechanical Engineering from Carnegie Mellon University, B.S. from Cornell University, and 1 of 10 national fellowships at AT&T Bell Labs. He has 7 patents. Hoover has served on the Board of Directors for the Rochester Museum and Science Center, including leading its K-12 STEM Education Task Force; and is a regional Board Member of FIRST Robotics, an organization which inspires young science, technology, and engineering leaders through mentor-based programs.