Charles E. Pompea '71, '90 EMBA, '06 Hon.

Charles E. Pompea's headshot

Charles E. Pompea is a former chair, president, and CEO of Primary Steel Inc. and a previous owner of the Springfield Falcons hockey team.

Expertise

Mr. Pompea spent more than 40 years at Primary Steel in Middletown, Connecticut. Starting out as a sales representative, Mr. Pompea rose to become the president and CEO; he then purchased the company in 1993. Under his leadership, Primary Steel grew into one of the top five processors of steel plating in the country, with revenues of $600 million. After selling the company in 2007, he purchased the Springfield Falcons hockey team, which went on to win back-to-back division titles in 2013 and 2014. He sold the franchise to the National Hockey League's Arizona Coyotes in 2016.

Community Service

A founding member of the Middlesex Community Foundation, Mr. Pompea has supported local civic and philanthropic agencies, such as Middlesex Hospital and the Connecticut River Museum. He also served as chair of the Middlesex Chamber of Commerce from 2003 to 2004 and was a member of its Executive, Nominating, and Golf committees. In 2013, Mr. Pompea established the Springfield Falcons Charitable Foundation, which funded local education and health-related agencies, such as the YMCA of Greater Springfield, Habitat for Humanity, and the city of Springfield's library system. Active in the President's Club supporting Gary's House, an affiliate of Mercy Hospital in Maine, Mr. Pompea also supports the Center for Family Services in West Palm Beach, Florida. A long-term member of the Board of Governors at the University of New Haven (including a term as vice-chair), he is an enthusiastic supporter of the University's mission.

Education

Mr. Pompea earned a B.S. in Management (1971) and an Executive MBA (1990) from the University of New Haven. In 2006, he was also awarded an honorary Doctor of Business Administration from the University.

Personal

Mr. Pompea is married to Tamera (Tammy) Pompea and has five children: Todd, Stacy, Sarah, Amy, and Elizabeth.