Robert J. Congel, Founder and Chairman of Destiny USA

Robert J. Congel is the Founder and Chairman of Destiny USA, an initiative he began in 2000.   Prior to that point Mr. Congel ran the Pyramid Companies now the 13th largest retail developer in the U.S. with 26 million square feet of throughout New York and Massachusetts.

Pyramid centers are an important part of New York State’s fiscal health, providing jobs to over 1,200 of its own employees, and housing over 20,000 retail employees in New York State. Last year Pyramid’s New York centers generated approximately $254.2 Million in retail sales tax revenue and over $50.8 Million in real estate tax revenue.

Destiny USA is being developed as a transformational initiative, designed to stimulate a new economy within Upstate New York centered around renewable energy, technology and tourism. Originally induced by local government as an expansion to an existing shopping center, Destiny USA has evolved into “Living Laboratory” of innovation, consumer insight, and applied industrial research. Visitors will arrive from around the world to experience a world-class destination but behind the scenes important data regarding consumer preferences, systems performance, and human behavior will be collected and assembled from the “smart building”. It will drive a new innovation economy in Central New York.  

Congel is a graduate of Christian Brothers Academy and Fordham University. He began in the construction industry as a contractor over 40 years ago. His career has included board participation on a number of businesses and groups, including Fays Drug Company, Unity Mutual Life Insurance Company, the Metropolitan Development Association, and the Greater Syracuse Chamber of Commerce.

Awards received by Mr. Congel include the Simon LeMoyne Medal from LeMoyne College in 1989, and the “Crystal Ball Award” for marketing in 1991. In addition, The Syracuse Women’s Federation named Mr. Congel Achiever of the Year in 1997. In 2006 he was awarded the Purple & Gold Award by the Christian Brothers Academy Alumni Association. The award honors an individual who has demonstrated outstanding support in the best interests of the students, faculty and alumni of CBA.

Mr. Congel has devoted time to many community organizations. He has served as Chairman of the Board of Trustees of Christian Brothers Academy, on the Board of Trustees at Syracuse University, and as a strong advocate of former Mayor Thomas G. Young’s affordable housing initiative, The Syracuse Housing Project.