Roger Arnold is a former software engineer and systems architect. He studied physics, math, and chemistry at Michigan State University's Honors College. After graduation, he worked in semiconductor physics at IBM's Components Division in Poughkeepsie, NY. However, after an involuntary stint as a systems analyst in the Army (courtesy of Viet Nam era draft), he opted to pursue graduate studies in computer science and systems architecture at the University of Colorado. He subsequently worked variously at Boeing Aerospace, AT&T, and about a dozen smaller companies and startups in San Diego and Silicon Valley.
After retiring from professional life as a systems architect, he founded the Silverthorn Institute, a private research group focusing on clean energy technologies, energy efficiency, and sustainability.