Paul J. Evanson '63CBA, '10HON is an executive for whom a
responsible stewardship of the world's energy resources is as
important as the bottom line of the corporations he has
successfully headed throughout his stellar business career.
Spirit of Service Award Video Presentation
One of St. John's University's most active and committed alumni,
he was also one of St. John's most influential and dynamic
students, serving as President of the Student Council while
pursuing his undergraduate degree in Business Administration.
Although meeting the demands of being a student leader while
pursuing a rigorous academic program wasn't easy, he was remarkably
successful at both, graduating first in his class and earning his
degree magna cum laude. His role as Student Council President
allowed him to make a difference, a quality that would set him
apart from his peers for the rest of his life.
After earning his J. D. cum laude from Columbia University and
his LL.M. from New York University, Evanson embarked upon a career
that to date has included presidencies of three major
corporations.
He started as an audit and tax manager for Arthur Anderson, and
then moved into the first of his corporate presidencies. From
1988-1992 he served as President of Lynch Corporation which, under
his tenure, was twice named by Forbes Magazine as one of the "100
Fastest Growing Companies". Following his time at Lynch he moved on
to serve an eight-year term as President of Florida Power and
Light. He then assumed his current position as Chairman, President
and Chief Executive Officer of Allegheny Energy, a company faced
with the imminent threat of bankruptcy, and turned it into a
strong, successful entity that is currently in the process of
merging with FirstEnergy to create a multi-billion dollar utility
corporation.
A man of many talents and varied interests, he has joined with
fellow investors to become part owner of the Pittsburgh Steelers of
the National Football League.
Recognizing the importance of St. John's University in his life,
he and his wife Carol have endowed the Evanson Chair in St. John's
The Peter J. Tobin College of Business, and both are members of The
Loughlin Society and The Founders Society, distinguished groups
reserved for the University's most generous donors. He is a former
member of St. John's Board of Governors and a current member of the
University's Board of Trustees, serving on its Fiscal Resource
Management Committee. In appreciation of his exceptional loyalty
and support, St. John's awarded him the Alumni Outstanding
Achievement Award in 1995, the Pietas Medal in 2003 and, in May,
conferred upon him a Doctor of Commercial Science, honoris
causa.