Robert's background

Robert has been an active practitioner of risk management for more than 15 years, mostly focusing on the global trading and processing of agricultural and energy commodities and products.  

Currently, Robert is one of the Founding Partners, and Chief Risk Officer and Chief Investment Officer at Flatwater Partners LLC, an Omaha-based private investment firm.  In addition, Robert started Wagner Risk Consulting, LLC, a small risk consulting practice where he works with a select group of clients on various risk management related projects.

Prior to his current role, Robert was Group Chief Risk Officer at COFCO Agri Ltd in Geneva, Switzerland, where he was responsible for group-wide risk management and oversight across all of the company’s global operations. 

Before joining COFCO, Robert held the Chief Risk Officer position for The Gavilon Group, LLC, where he had responsibility for company-wide risk controls, including the market risk management and credit departments.  Prior to Gavilon, Robert had positions of increasing responsibility at ConAgra Foods, Inc. from 2000 to 2008, including a stint in Corporate Treasury where he oversaw the company’s pension investments and participated in numerous capital markets strategies.

Robert earned his Bachelor of Science degree in international business from Minnesota State University at Moorhead and a Master of Science degree in agricultural economics from North Dakota State University. He also holds an MBA from Creighton University.  Robert is a member of the Board of Trustees and Chair of the Finance Committee at Brownell Talbot School in Omaha.

Robert has a deep interest in all topics related to risk and investments, and he is an avid reader of various subjects related to these areas.  Robert has travelled widely across the globe covering all continents and continues to enjoy exploring the world.  Among his hobbies are cooking, going on long walks, tennis, biking, hiking and skiing and most important, spending as much time as possible with his family.