In a recent episode of the Leadership Impact and Talent Podcast, RBAC Inc.’s COO James Brooks shared how he is honoring the company’s legacy while shaping its future. Founded by Dr. Robert Brooks in 1997, RBAC has grown into a global leader in natural gas and LNG market simulation systems. James spoke with host Greg Downs about leadership, mentorship, and RBAC’s mission to empower better energy decisions and combat global energy poverty.
Building on a Visionary Legacy
RBAC’s roots trace back to Dr. Robert Brooks’ doctoral research at MIT, where he developed a groundbreaking natural gas network model of the United States. This work became the foundation for RBAC’s flagship product, the GPCM® Market Simulator for North American Gas and LNG™, launched in 1997. As COO, James Brooks has continued to advance his father’s vision by expanding RBAC’s reach globally and keeping its mission—enabling better energy decisions—at the heart of the business.
Leadership Grounded in Values
During the conversation, James emphasized that leadership is about inspiring people and creating environments where they can succeed. He shared how RBAC’s culture of hard work, passion, and caring—originally instilled by its founder—has endured and evolved. From fostering open communication to offering remote flexibility, RBAC focuses on balancing professional growth with personal well-being, helping its team thrive across geographies.
Mentorship and Empowering Talent
A key pillar of RBAC’s success, according to James, is mentorship. Passing on knowledge, lessons learned, and industry insights helps new hires build a foundation they can expand upon. This approach not only accelerates individual growth but also strengthens RBAC’s ability to innovate and adapt. By maintaining a relatively flat organizational structure, the company ensures everyone understands how their work contributes to its mission.
Addressing Energy Poverty Through Better Decisions
Beyond technology, RBAC’s ultimate goal is to address energy poverty—a crisis affecting over a billion people worldwide. By equipping energy companies with advanced modeling tools, RBAC empowers them to make decisions that expand access to affordable, reliable energy. James stressed that energy is fundamentally for people and that the next generation of energy leaders must keep this perspective at the forefront.
Looking Ahead
As RBAC continues to grow its global footprint and evolve its technology, James remains focused on sustaining its mission-driven culture. From mentoring emerging leaders to innovating in market simulation, RBAC is positioned to help the energy industry navigate a more interconnected, dynamic future—one where better decisions mean brighter outcomes for communities worldwide.
RBAC, Inc. has been the leading provider of market fundamental analysis tools used by the energy industry and related government agencies for over two decades. The GPCM® Market Simulator for North American Gas and LNG™ is the most widely used natural gas market modeling system in North America. RBAC’s G2M2® Market Simulator for Global Gas and LNG™ has been instrumental in understanding evolving global gas and LNG dynamics and is vital in fully understanding the interrelationship between the North American and global gas markets.
