Born in Ujung Pandang, now Makassar; Rocky spent his early childhood in Sorong-Papua Barat Daya and Ambon, Maluku. He graduated from the University of Hasanuddin Makassar majoring in Fisheries; and obtained MSc on Marine Planning and Management from the University of Liverpool, United Kingdom. Prior joining WRI Indonesia as Plastic Waste and Ocean Manager, he worked for the Indonesia Ministry of Marine Affairs and Fisheries, ASEAN Secretariat, International Pole & Line Foundation (IPNLF) and GIZ under projects dealing with plastic waste management and circular economy.

Rocky is a sport enthusiast, his leisure time is often filled with outdoor activities such as: tennis, cycling or jogging.