National Grid is pleased to announce that Nickolas Stavropoulos, the company’s executive vice president of U.S. Gas Distribution, has been elected to the Bentley University Board of Trustees for a term of three years, effective July 1, 2009.

As a trustee, Stavropoulos is charged with helping to set and execute the policies of the institution under the direction of the president. In addition, the role of trustee is to help evaluate management, to identify and frame policy issues of import to Bentley University and its constituents and to help ensure effectiveness of fiscal and internal controls. Trustees also help to promote Bentley policies and goals, support fundraising efforts and serve on Board committees.

“We are thrilled that Nick has agreed to join us,” said Board Chairman J. Terence Carleton. “He has been a generous and strong supporter of Bentley, with both his time and resources. He has also been an advocate of Bentley, supporting recruitment and internship opportunities for our students, and this appointment takes it to the next level.”

A 1979 Bentley alumnus, Stavropoulos was a founding member of the Bentley Executive Club and served as the vice chair of its Executive Committee and chair of its Speakers Committee. At National Grid, he leads the international company’s Gas Distribution Business in the United States. His role at National Grid follows nearly 30 years of experience and leadership in the energy delivery industry with KeySpan, Eastern Enterprise and Colonial Gas.

Active in a number of organizations, Stavropoulos is the Second Vice Chair of the Board of the American Gas Association. He is also on the Board of Enterprise Bank, The Greater Boston Chamber of Commerce, United Way of Massachusetts and Dynamics Research Corporation.

National Grid is an international energy delivery company. In the U.S., National Grid delivers electricity to approximately 3.3 million customers in Massachusetts, New Hampshire, New York and Rhode Island, and manages the electricity network on Long Island under an agreement with the Long Island Power Authority (LIPA). It is the largest distributor of natural gas in the northeastern U.S., serving approximately 3.4 million customers in Massachusetts, New Hampshire, New York and Rhode Island. National Grid also owns over 4,000 megawatts of contracted electricity generation that provides power to over one million LIPA customers.