Robert Agbede is a Nigerian-born engineer, entrepreneur, and philanthropist. He is the Chairman and CEO of Chester Group Inc., a holding company for engineering, technology, and energy related investments.
He is also the former CEO and owner of Chester Engineers, which was the largest African–American–owned engineering firm in the United States Caree. He has several patents and awards for his innovations in the fields of water, wastewater, and LNG systems.
He is a member of the Board of Trustees of the University of Pittsburgh and the Board of Directors of CNX, a natural gas company. He also supports scholarships and diversity initiatives for African American students and faculty in engineering and sciences.
Robert Agbede Age
Robert Agbede is 67 years old as of 2024.
Robert Agbede Early Life and Education
Robert Agbede was born in Lagos, Nigeria, in 1957. He grew up in a large family with nine siblings. His father was a civil servant and his mother was a teacher. He attended a boarding school outside of Lagos that was run by the Ford Foundation, where he excelled in mathematics and science. He developed an interest in engineering and technology from an early age, inspired by his uncle who was an engineer
In, 975, Agbede moved to the United States to pursue higher education. He first attended Montana Tech, where he studied mining engineering and received a scholarship from the Anaconda Company. He then transferred to the University of Pittsburgh, where he earned his bachelor’s and master’s degrees in mining engineering in 1979 and 1981, respectively. He also became a naturalized U.S. citizen during his studies. He was inducted into the University of Pittsburgh Engineering Hall of Fame in 2000.
After graduating, Agbede worked as a project engineer for several engineering firms, including Michael Baker Corporation, Westinghouse Electric Corporation, and Hatch Associates. He gained experience in designing and managing water, wastewater, and LNG projects in the U.S. and abroad. He also obtained several patents for his inventions, such as a modular LNG plant, a wastewater treatment system, and a water purification device.
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Robert Agbede Career and Achievements
Robert Agbede started his career as a project engineer at Chester Engineers, a water/wastewater treatment, energy, and environmental engineering firm. He later became the CEO and owner of the company, which was, prior to its merger with Hatch Associates in 2017, the largest African–American–owned engineering firm in the United States.
He was also the former Vice Chairman of Hatch USA, a global engineering and business consulting company. In addition, he was a founder and co-owner of Orbital Solutions, a Pittsburgh based leadership development, coaching, diversity consulting and training organization. He and his companies are holders of several U.S. patents.
Mr. Agbede is a member of the CNX Resources Corp. (NYSE: CNX) Board of Directors, where he currently serves as a member of the Audit, Compensation, Nominating and Corporate Governance, and Environmental, Safety, and Corporate Responsibility committees.
He is also a member of the Board of Trustees of the University of Pittsburgh, and he holds the position of Chairman of the Board of Visitors of its Swanson School of Engineering. Additionally, in 2000, he was honored with induction into the University of Pittsburgh School of Engineering Hall of Fame. He is the recipient of the 2020 Distinguished Alumnus award of the Swanson School of Engineering, Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering.
Mr. Agbede is dedicated to providing mentorship to small minority businesses and serves on several boards and commissions. He is a member of the Allegheny Conference on Community Development, the Pittsburgh Cultural Trust, the Pittsburgh Symphony Orchestra, the World Affairs Council of Pittsburgh, the African American Chamber of Commerce of Western Pennsylvania, and the Nigerian-American Leadership Council. He is also a member of the Young Presidents’ Organization and the World Presidents’ Organization.
Mr. Agbede is a passionate advocate for education and social justice. He has established several scholarships and endowments at the University of Pittsburgh, Carnegie Mellon University, and other institutions to support students from underrepresented backgrounds. He has also donated generously to various causes and organizations, such as the United Way, the Urban League, the NAACP, the Salvation Army, the American Red Cross, and the Nigerian Red Cross.
Robert Agbede Awards
Robert Agbede has received numerous awards andNDndnd recognitions for his philanthropic efforts, such as the 2019 Humanitarian Award from the American Red Cross of Western Pennsylvania, the 2018 Distinguished Service Award from the University of Pittsburgh, and the 2017 Lifetime Achievement Award from the Nigerian-American Leadership Council.
Robert Agbede Personal Life, Wife and Children
Mr. Agbede is married to Dr. Funmi Agbede, a pediatrician and public health specialist. They have four children and reside in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. He enjoys traveling, reading, golfing, and playing chess.
He is fluent in English, Yoruba, and Hausa. He is a devout Christian and a member of the Mount Ararat Baptist Church. He is also a Knight of St. Christopher in the Anglican Communion. He is widely regarded as one of the most influential and successful Nigerian-Americans in the United States.
Robert Agbede Net Worth
Robert Agbede’s net worth is estimated at $5 million as of 2024. This is based on his holdings in CNX Resources Corp., a natural gas exploration and production company, where he serves as a board member.
