Rod earned a Master of Science in Electrical Engineering in computers and communication systems from Stanford University and a Physics degree from Grinnell College.

In his professional career, he held in engineering management roles and helped lead two high tech start-ups from infancy to successful businesses. His career in tech gave him broad experience in teamwork, perseverance, budgeting discipline, critical thinking skills, general management, and leading innovation.

Rod has been deeply involved as a community leader in Cupertino for many years. He served as a City of Cupertino Council member for 8 years, and mayor of Cupertino for one year. He helped found and was the first chair of the Silicon Valley Clean Energy Authority, bringing carbon-free electricity at lower rates to residents and businesses in 13 cities. He served as chair of the 24-member Bay Area Air Quality Management District Board, overseeing air quality and climate mitigation strategies across the nine-county Bay Area. He has also served as a board member of other regional agencies. He currently serves as a Board Trustee of the Fremont Union High School District.

He champions good governance, strong public schools, environmental stewardship, more housing for all income levels and better public transit.