Roberts graduated from the University of Alabama where he studied political science, business, and municipal administration. After interning with PowerSouth Energy Cooperative in Montgomery where he worked closely with civic and business movers and shakers, he knew he wanted to work in economic development. More recently, Roberts was director of Government Affairs & Workforce Development for the Huntsville Madison County Builders Association and Business Retention & Expansion director for the Huntsville-Madison County Chamber. At the Chamber, he was a project director managing various aspects of Huntsville-based economic development projects that were closely tied to commercial real estate and development, as well as politics.