Robert S. Chappell is a Partner at Microsoft in Redmond, WA. Rob has a passion for “at-scale” computing and is responsible for improving the reliability and performance of the millions of server nodes underlying Azure’s core cloud business. Prior to joining Microsoft in 2019, Rob spent over 20 years architecting high-volume CPUs. Rob earned a Ph.D. in Computer Architecture from the University of Michigan.
Dr. Zane A. Ball is a Corporate Vice President and General Manager of the Data Center and AI (DCAI) Product Management Group. DCAI Product Management is responsible for end-to-end stewardship of DCAI’s systems, SW, CPU, GPU, and custom product line through the entirety of the product lifecycle. Prior to his product management role, Ball was CVP and GM of platform engineering and architecture for Intel’s data center business. Ball has also served as Co-GM of Intel’s foundry effort as a VP in the Technology and Manufacturing group and VP of the Client Computing Group including roles as GM of the desktop client business and as GM of global customer engineering.
Ball has a bachelor’s degree, master’s degree, and Ph.D. in electrical engineering, all earned from Rice University. He also holds six patents in high-speed electrical design.