Like St. John’s University, Robert B. Catell is a true
reflection of the indomitable spirit, work ethic and commitment to
the service of others that can only be found in those with a strong
connection to New York City. He was born and raised in Brooklyn and
earned both his Bachelor’s and Master’s degrees in Mechanical
Engineering at the City College of New York.
Catell has enjoyed a long and distinguished career as one of the
world’s most knowledgeable and respected experts in the fields of
energy utilization, management and research.
He began his journey into the world of energy in 1958 as a
Junior Engineer at what was then known as the Brooklyn Union Gas
Company. His talents were quickly recognized, and he rose steadily
through the ranks until being named President and Chief Executive
Officer in 1996. Two years later he became Chairman and CEO of
KeySpan, a new energy company created by the merger of Brooklyn
Union Gas and the Long Island Lighting Company. When KeySpan was
acquired by National Grid, he was named Chairman of National Grid
U.S. and Deputy Chairman of National Grid PLC.
He is currently Chairman of the Advanced Energy Research and
Technology Center at Stony Brook University, a partnership of
academic and research institutions, energy providers and industrial
corporations created to explore new ways to produce clean energy,
enhance production from renewable sources, and find efficient
methods for distribution and storage of energy with minimal impact
on the local ecosystems.
Describing himself as “someone who relates to and cares about
people”, Catell is defined not only by his abiding commitment to
the responsible stewardship and efficient utilization of our
precious natural resources, but also by his lifelong dedication to
the service of others.
A staunch proponent of the power of education, he is Chairman of
the Board of Trustees of Futures in Education, a philanthropic
organization that provides scholarship assistance to deserving
students from financially burdened families in Brooklyn and Queens
seeking to enjoy the benefits of a Catholic education. He also
serves as Chairman of Cristo Rey Brooklyn High School, a school for
young people of limited economic means.
Catell is a member of a number of additional Boards, including
the Tomorrow’s Hope Foundation, the Winthrop University Hospital
Board of Regents, the New York Academy of Sciences, the Feinstein
Institute for Medical Research and the New York City Police
Foundation.