Robbie was born in Richmond, Virginia and moved to Greensboro after graduating from Duke University with a BA in 1977 and an MBA in 1979. He has been in the commercial brokerage business with NAI Piedmont Triad for over 40 years and currently serves as its Market President. He has consistently been among the leaders in brokerage volume within the NAI Earle Furman organization.

Robbie has also been a part of Greensboro community leadership since 1993, serving 16 years on the Greensboro City Council and as Mayor of Greensboro from 2011-2013. Transportation planning, regional cooperation and major community investments such as the Greensboro Aquatic Center and the Steven Tanger Center for Performing Arts were part of his focus as an elected official. Since leaving office, Robbie has served as President of Triad Real Estate and Builders Coalition (TREBIC) and Chair of the Economic Development Committee of the North Carolina Association of Realtors.

Robbie is devoted to his adopted hometown, with commitments to this community including Board of Trustees of Bennett College, Board President of One Step Further, High Point University Board of Visitors, and Board of Directors of NewBridge Bank.

He has five children and seven grandchildren.