Bob Kepley

Bob Kepley, senior vice president of engineering at Hughes Network Systems, LLC (HUGHES), leads the hardware engineering division of 100+ engineers responsible for Analog, RF, Digital, Mechanical, DSP and CAD design for satellite communication products and systems for consumer, enterprise, and government markets.

Joining other North Carolina State University (NC State) alumni, Mr. Kepley began his career at Hughes in 1981 as a member of the technical staff. With interests in digital signal processing and information theory, Mr. Kepley initially contributed to the advancement of video and audio coding and compression technology. Over his 41-year career at Hughes, Mr. Kepley has made numerous contributions in the areas of wireless and satellite communication products, systems, and services including satellite-based telephone and video conferencing systems, airplane telephone system, satellite television set top boxes, government systems and products, and broadband satellite internet systems designed to help close the digital divide.

Mr. Kepley earned both a Bachelor of Science degree (1979) and a Master of Science degree (1981) from NC State. In 2011, he delivered the NC State Electrical and Computer Engineering (ECE) Department commencement address. An active NC State alum, Mr. Kepley also served on the ECE Strategic Advisory Board and endowed the W.R. Kepley Scholarship for engineering students in honor of his late father who earned a Bachelor of Science degree in Mechanical Engineering from the university in 1959. Mr. Kepley holds numerous patents in electronics and communications systems and has authored published technical papers.

One of the most important attributes of an engineer in industry is the thirst for knowledge as applied to the advancement of technology. The quality of your education as well as continuing education are key to success.