Natural Resources >> CEO Interviews >> February 21, 2000
BERNARD KENNEDY is the Chairman, Chief Executive Officer and a Director
of National Fuel Gas Company. He is also Chairman/Director of National
Fuel Gas Distribution Corporation, National Fuel Gas Supply Corporation,
Seneca Resources Corporation, Seneca Independence Pipeline Company and
Niagara Independence Marketing Company. Mr. Kennedy is also Chairman of
Utility Constructors, Inc., and a Director of Leidy Hub, Inc. He began
his career with National Fuel Gas Distribution Corporation in 1958 as a
Legal Assistant, was promoted to General Attorney in 1963, was elected
Secretary in 1967, and a Director in 1971. Since then, Mr. Kennedy has
held successive positions of responsibility in the National Fuel Gas
companies, culminating in his current position. He is a member and Past
Chairman of the Canisius College School of Business Administration
Council, a member and Past Chairman of the Canisius College Board of
Regents, a member and Past General Chairman-1981 of Catholic Charities,
a member and Past Chairman of New York Gas Group, and a member and Past
Chairman of NYS Bar Association-Public Utilities Committee. Mr. Kennedy
is also a member of the Federal Energy Bar Association, Greater Buffalo
Partnership, Heritage Oak Foundation, National Petroleum Council, NYS
Association for Retarded Children, and the United Way of Buffalo and
Erie Counties (Chairman, Long Range Planning Committee). He also serves
on the Boards of Directors/Trustees for a number of companies. Among the
awards he has received are the 1992 Business Executive of the Year from
the Institute of Management Accountants-Buffalo Chapter and the 1994
Niagara Frontier Executive of the Year from the University of Buffalo
School of Management. Mr. Kennedy holds a BA from Niagara University and
a JD from the University of Michigan, and served in the US Army Infantry
from 1953-1955 (1st Lt. USAR). He is married and has five children. Profile
Mr. Kennedy: As you know, National Fuel was traditionally a utility
holding company consisting of vertically integrated subsidiaries. As
