Growing up in Grays Harbor, most of us have had dreams of taking our small town roots and seeing how they grow in the outside world. Keith Rattie, an Aberdeen High School Class of 1972 graduate and Class Salutatorian did just that. Still having ties to Grays Harbor, Keith was referred to the Grays Harbor Community Foundation in an effort to give back to the high school that encouraged his early success. Keith and his wife Nancy recently established the “Keith and Nancy Rattie Scholarship” for Aberdeen High School graduates majoring in the STEM field. This is a very generous scholarship that is renewable for 3 additional years.
A self-proclaimed Aberdeen boy who “didn’t have a clue” about what he wanted to do, Keith went on to graduate from the University of Washington with a Bachelor of Science in Electrical Engineering (Magna Cum Laude at that) and then to St. Mary’s College for his MBA thanks in large part to a program called “Dollars for Scholars.” This program at Aberdeen High School in the 1970’s provided him the important financial support he needed to attend college to pursue his dreams and jump started what would be many years as a businessman at the pinnacle of success in the energy field.
Keith began his career at Chevron Corporation serving in various engineering, operations and project management roles, including General Manager of the company’s International Natural Gas division. From there, Keith served as Senior Vice President of The Coastal Corporation and then Chairman, President and CEO of Questar Corporation. Now retired, Keith is an active participant in public discourse on energy policy, including multiple appearances before US Congress representing the industry in hearings on energy policy.
Living in a small community like Grays Harbor, we are often reminded of the tremendous generosity of our residents and are grateful for people like Keith who left home, but never forgot where he came from and every step along the way that led to his success.