Robert Abernethy

Robert J. Abernethy

Robert J. Abernethy is an American entrepreneur, philanthropist, and public policy leader based in Manhattan Beach, California. He serves as Chairman of American Standard Development Company and Self Storage Management Company.13

Early Life and Education

Abernethy was born in Indianapolis, Indiana and raised in Davidson, North Carolina. He attended Johns Hopkins University, where he received a B.A. in Mathematics & Electrical Engineering in 1962. He later earned an M.B.A. from Harvard Business School in 1968 and completed postgraduate work at UCLA, receiving certificates in Construction Management and Real Estate.2

Career and Public Service

After serving in the U.S. Navy from 1963-1966, Abernethy worked as a Controller at Hughes Aircraft Company. He has held numerous leadership roles in public policy, including serving as:

• Vice Chairman of the Atlantic Council
• Trustee of the Brookings Institution
• Director of the RAND Center for Global Risk & Security
• Director of the New Leaders Council123

Abernethy has also served on advisory committees for the U.S. Department of State and the Aspen Institute. He has been involved with various philanthropic and cultural institutions in Los Angeles, including the Music Center, Los Angeles Philharmonic, and YMCA.2

Boards and Memberships

Abernethy serves on the boards of many organizations, including:

• Johns Hopkins School of Advanced International Studies
• Johns Hopkins University
• Truman Center for National Policy
• Integrity Initiatives International
• Los Angeles World Affairs Council13

He is a member of the Chairman's Forum of the Council on Foreign Relations and the Meridian Board of Trustees.2