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David L. Sokol, 51, is chairman and chief executive officer of MidAmerican Energy Holdings Company. MidAmerican has $34.4 billion in assets and is a subsidiary of Berkshire Hathaway, which owns 88.2 percent of the company.
In February 1991, Sokol joined the company as chairman, president and chief executive officer. At that time the company owned and operated one geothermal power project, which it had developed and constructed. Today, the company has grown into a thriving worldwide energy services provider with 17,800 employees and annual revenues of approximately $10.4 billion.
Through its utility subsidiaries, MidAmerican Energy and PacifiCorp in the United States and Northern Electric and Yorkshire Electricity in the United Kingdom, the company provides electric and natural gas service to approximately 6.7 million customers. Through CalEnergy, the company's independent power production business, and the utility operations of MidAmerican Energy and PacifiCorp, MidAmerican manages and owns interests in approximately 17,800 megawatts of diversified power generation facilities, 15 percent of which is from renewable resources such as geothermal and wind.
With the acquisition of Kern River Gas Transmission Company in March 2002 and the acquisition of Northern Natural Gas Company in August 2002, MidAmerican established itself as a leading owner of interstate natural gas pipeline systems in the United States. These companies deliver approximately 8 percent of the average daily volume of natural gas in North America through their combined 18,100 miles of pipeline.
Sokol earned his Bachelor of Science degree in civil engineering from the University of Nebraska at Omaha in 1978 and holds an honorary doctorate degree from Bellevue University, Bellevue, Neb. A native of Omaha, Neb., Sokol has been active in the community throughout his career.
Sokol enjoys hunting, fishing, running and skiing. The Sokols have a son, D.J. (deceased), and a daughter, Kelly.
Board Memberships
Member of the Horatio Alger Association Board of Directors and Executive Committee
Member of the National Collegiate Athletic Association Leadership Advisory Board of Directors
Chairman of the Omaha Metropolitan Entertainment and Convention Authority
Member of the Board of Heritage Services
Member of the Board of Governors, Knights of Ak-Sar-Ben
Member of the Creighton University Board of Directors
Member of the Board of Directors of the College World Series
USSTRATCOM Consultation Committee
Board of Trustees Mid-America Council, Boy Scouts of America
Highlights and Achievements
Lifetime Member, Horatio Alger Association of Distinguished Americans, April 2004
Omaha Business Hall of Fame Award, Greater Omaha Foundation, April 2004
Waite Medal for Leadership Award, Creighton University, April 2004
Volunteer of the Year, Greater Omaha Chamber of Commerce, 2001
Individual Achievement Award, The Energy Daily, 2001
CEO of the Year, Financial Times Energy Global Awards, 2000
Mancuso Award, Omaha Sportscasters Association, 2000
Community Service Award, Chancellor's Commission on the Status of Women, University of Nebraska at Omaha, 1999
Order of the Tower Award, University of Nebraska at Omaha, 1998
Distinguished Graduate Award, National Catholic Education Association, 1998
Industrial Entrepreneur of the Year, Iowa/Nebraska Region, 1997
Honorary Doctorate Degree, Bellevue University, Bellevue, Nebraska, 1997
Maverick Man of the Year, University of Nebraska at Omaha, 1996
Viking of Distinction Award, Omaha North High School, Omaha, Nebraska, 1996
Silver Beaver Award, Boy Scouts of America Mid-America Council, 1996
Lifetime Membership, Omicron Delta Kappa, University of Nebraska, November 1994
Heritage Patron Award, Boy Scouts of America Mid-America Council, June 1993
Whitney M. Young, Jr. Award, Boy Scouts of America Mid-America Council, June 1993
Alumnus Achievement Award, University of Nebraska at Omaha Alumni Association, May 1992
Included in Crain's New York Business Magazine, selection of "40 Under 40," January 1990
Voted "Executive of the Year" by Alternative Sources Energy Magazine, May 1988 |
