Patrick Burke
Current Company and Position: Consolidated Edison Company of New York, VP Bronx and Westchester Electric Operations.
First Job: As an entrepreneur, I was my own first boss. At the time I didn't know that was the name for it but I did my own marketing and business development. If I could get a customer within walking distance of my house I was babysitting, cutting lawns, raking leaves and shoveling snow.
What it taught me: The customer is (almost) always right!
Best advice you could give someone starting out: Help yourself by helping others. Whether you're volunteering in your community or struggling to get through an early job with a boss you don't see eye-to-eye with, spend time figuring out what the other party needs from you and then do it really, really well. At a minimum, that approach usually leads to a good reference, when the time comes, and it can help develop strong skills in other areas that you'll find great value in for the rest of your life...like interpersonal communications, critical thinking and managing disappointment.
Who is your hero and why? I don't have one hero - but I have one category of hero. Though the term really only garnered attention due to COVID, my heroes are the essential workers in our communities. Before, during and since the pandemic, our essential workers strive tirelessly to ensure the communities they attend have the resources and services needed for everyday subsistence. Whether paid or volunteer, whether formally considered first responders or not, utility employees, police, fire and healthcare workers are among those who are indispensable. A hero is defined as someone who, in the face of danger, combats adversity through feats of ingenuity, courage or strength. Are our essential workers not genuine heroes?
Biography: Born and raised in a suburb of Albany, NY, Patrick was the eldest of two boys in his family. He attended St. Pius X Elementary and ran cross country while attending high school at LaSalle Institute.
The proud father of three boys himself, Patrick is currently vice president of Bronx and Westchester Electric Operations for Con Edison, the energy company serving the 9 million people of New York City and Westchester. In this role, he has responsibility for the safe, reliable operation and maintenance of the company’s electric distribution systems in Westchester County and Bronx.
After interning at Indian Point and graduating from college, Patrick joined the company in 1987 and spent two decades rising through the ranks at Con Edison. He gained experience as an emergency supervisor, shift manager, senior system operator and section manager serving in various departments and locales prior to assuming roles at Orange and Rockland Utilities. During his 10 years at Orange and Rockland Utilities Patrick was director of Control Center and Substation Operations and general manager of Electric Operations. He then returned to Con Edison to serve as general manager in Manhattan Electric Operations before being promoted to vice president of Brooklyn and Queens Electric Operations.
Throughout his years of service within Con Edison Patrick's dedication to community growth extends to his family. He, along with his boys, has volunteered at both the World Science Festival at NYU and the City of Science Festival at Lehman College in support of the World Science Foundation’s aim to educate upper elementary and middle school students and their families in STEM. Patrick continues to volunteer at community events facilitated by Con Edison's Power of Giving Volunteer Program.
In 2021, Patrick assumed the role of executive sponsor of one of the company's employee resource groups, The Emerald Society of Consolidated Edison. During his tenure he has been instrumental in fostering a culture of innovation and creativity within the group. His role in the Con Ed Emerald Society is not just a position he holds, but a reflection of his passion for community and his belief in the power of collective effort.
Patrick holds a bachelor’s degree in mechanical engineering from Manhattan College and a Master of Business Administration from Pace University.
