Mr. Robert Agbede is the Chairman of Sigma Coatings Nigeria Limited, a coating manufacturing and marketing company in partnership with PPG Industries, Pittsburgh, USA. He is a Nigerian-born engineer, entrepreneur, and philanthropist. He serves as the Chairman and CEO of Chester Group Inc. and Chester LNG, LLC, overseeing a diverse portfolio of technology, engineering, and energy-related investments. Previously, he was the CEO of Chester Engineers, the largest African-American-owned engineering firm in the United States before its merger with Hatch Associates in 2017.

He has held leadership positions in various organisations including Vice Chairman of Hatch USA and co-owner of Orbital Solutions, a leadership development and coaching organization.

Mr. Agbede’s contributions extend to the academic and philanthropic sectors. He serves on the Board of Trustees of the University of Pittsburgh and chairs the Board of Visitors of its Swanson School of Engineering. He has established scholarships and awards to support African American students and faculty in engineering fields.

Mr. Agbede is a member of the CNX Board of Directors and holds positions on the U.S. Chamber of Commerce Board of Directors and chairs the Sister Cities Association of Pittsburgh.

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.

Notable past appointments include serving on the Federal Reserve Bank of Cleveland/Pittsburgh Branch Board, the Allegheny Conference on Community Development, and various advisory councils and boards focused on African American affairs and minority business development in Pennsylvania.