| Southern Star, headquartered in Owensboro, Kentucky, is a natural gas transmission system spanning over 6,000 miles in the Midwest and Mid-continent regions of the United States. Southern Star’s 460 employees and its pipeline system and facilities are located throughout Kansas, Oklahoma, Missouri, Wyoming, Colorado, Texas, Nebraska, and Kentucky. It serves major markets such as St. Louis, Wichita, and Kansas City. Southern Star is a locally managed private company owned by GE’s Energy Financial Services business and Caisse de dépôt et placement du Québec.
Southern Star has provided over 100 years of continuous, quality service since its formation in 1904. Highly sought after due to its consistently strong performance, desirable location in America’s heartland, and quality of service, Southern Star has enjoyed various owners and undergone several name changes over the last century; however, one thing has remained constant: its reputation for continuous, safe, quality service. That is our mission and our goal for our customers, employees, and the communities in which we operate.
We’re also committed to our communities. You’ll see Southern Star employees serving as mentors to students, helping reconstruct towns after natural disasters, volunteering with local charitable organizations, and coaching children’s teams. We’re your neighbors, and we’re your friends. Southern Star supports its employees’ volunteerism and makes every effort to provide time for employees to make a difference where they work and live.
This corporate character extends to how we treat the environment and approach our work. Southern Star is a steward of environmental awareness and cooperation with landowners and the government. It believes in honesty in its dealings and seeks out like-minded companies with which to do business.
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| Name |
Age |
Position |
Robert P. Hadden |
46 |
Director |
Renaud Faucher |
43 |
Director |
| Yves Rheault |
63 |
Director |
| Kathy McGowan |
46 |
Director |
Robert P. Hadden was appointed to the Board of Directors of the Company effective February 6, 2006. Mr. Hadden currently serves as Managing Director of Portfolio Equity at GE Energy Financial Services in Stamford, CT, a position he assumed in April 2006. From September 2002 to April 2006, he was Senior Vice President of Portfolio Equity at GE Energy Financial Services in Stamford, CT. From March 2001 to September 2002, he was a Managing Director of new business initiatives, developing GE Structured Finance’s strategy for entering the gas pipeline sector. Mr. Hadden worked as a Managing Director/Vice President of Risk in GE Capital Structured Finance Group from 1994 to February 2001. Mr. Hadden joined the General Electric Company’s Energy business in 1982 and transitioned to GE Capital in 1994. During his 25 years with GE, he has held a variety of positions, including risk management, portfolio and business development. While at GE Energy, Mr. Hadden held engineering and general management roles in GE Energy’s International Services Business. Mr. Hadden received a Bachelor of Science degree, or B.S., in Mechanical Engineering from University College, Dublin, Ireland in 1982 and a Master of Business Administration, or M.B.A., from Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute, Albany, NY in 1994.
Renaud Faucher was appointed to the Board of Directors effective May 1, 2006. Mr. Faucher joined Caisse de dépôt et placement du Quebec (CDP) in April 2006 as Director in the private equity group in the Infrastructure and Energy team. He is responsible for the management and optimization of the large investments of the portfolio. From November 1998 to April 2006, Mr. Faucher held different positions within wholly owned subsidiaries of Hydro-Québec, developing and managing their international portfolio of projects. He started as Manager, International Financing from 1998 to 2000 and then moved to Director International Investments for North America for the development of high voltage transmission lines. From January 2003 until April 2006, he also held the position of CFO of TransÉnergie US, a wholly owned subsidiary of Hydro-Québec. From 1992 to 1998, Mr. Faucher worked on the financing and management of independent power plants throughout Canada. From 1986 to 1990, Mr. Faucher worked as a project engineer on the construction of large infrastructure projects in Canada and Europe. Mr. Faucher holds a B.S. from École Polytechnique de Montréal, an M.B.A. from Concordia University and is also a Certified Management Accountant.
Yves Rheault was elected to the Board of Directors effective May 26, 2006. Mr. Rheault currently serves as advisor within the private equity group in the Infrastructure and Energy team at CDP, a function he assumed in October of 2002. From 2000 to October 2002, Mr. Rheault was Vice Chairman of the Board and Vice President of Business Development of Boralex, Inc. Prior to joining CDP, Mr. Rheault held various senior positions in several different companies (besides Boralex, Inc.) involved in the energy sector, and has been Chairman of the Board of Gaz Métro, the third largest gas distributor in Canada, for ten years. Mr. Rheault also currently serves on the Board of Directors of Vermont Gas, Inc., Boralex, Inc., and Intragas, Inc. Mr. Rheault holds a Bachelor in Commerce and a Masters in Administration from the University of Montreal.
Kathy McGowan was appointed to the Board of Directors effective May 22, 2007. Ms. McGowan currently serves as Senior Vice President at GE Energy Financial Services, a position she was promoted to in March 2007. She joined GE in June 2004 as Vice President. From 2003 to 2004, she was a Principal at Hopewell Partners, an energy advisory firm. From 1987 to 2003, Ms. McGowan worked for ABB in a variety of financial management positions of increasing responsibility, ultimately being named Director and Project Finance Leader for the Global Power Group of ABB Equity Ventures, the project development and investment arm of ABB. Ms. McGowan received a B.S. in Mechanical Engineering with High Distinction from the University of Virginia in 1983 and an MBA from the Darden School of Business in 1987.
| Name |
Age |
Position |
| Jerry L. Morris |
52 |
President and Chief Executive Officer |
| Robert S. Bahnick |
48 |
Senior Vice President of Operations and Technical
Services |
| Robert W. Carlton |
47 |
Vice President of Human Resources and Administration |
| Chris W. Ellison |
53 |
Vice President of Operations-Hesston Division |
| David L. Finley |
43 |
Vice President of Information Technology |
| Beverly H. Griffith |
53 |
Senior Vice President, General Counsel and Corporate
Secretary |
| Susanne W. Harris |
49 |
Vice President, Chief Financial Officer, and Treasurer |
| Daryl R. Johnson |
54 |
Vice President of Rates and Regulatory Affairs |
| Richard J. Reischman |
52 |
Vice President of Operations-Kansas City Division |
Jerry L. Morris became President and CEO of Southern Star Central Corp. (Southern Star) and Southern Star Central Gas Pipeline, Inc. (Central) in August 2005. He had been president and Chief Operating Officer, or COO, of Central since February 13, 2004. Previously, he served as Central’s Vice President/Director of Business Development since 2001, and held the position of Director of Rates and Strategic Planning for Central and/or its predecessors or affiliates since 1987. Mr. Morris has held a variety of positions in accounting, business development and rates during his 29 years in the interstate natural gas pipeline industry. He received his B.S. in Accounting from Murray State University in 1977, and his M.B.A. from the same institution in 1985. He is active in several industry organizations.
Robert S. Bahnick, Senior Vice President of Operations and Technical Services for Central since July 2003, served as Vice President of Operations and Technical Services since November 2002, served as Vice President of Operations for Central since 1998, and prior to that time, served in a similar position for either predecessors and/or affiliates of Central since 1996, with a total of 25 years in the interstate natural gas pipeline industry. Mr. Bahnick earned his B.S. in Mechanical Engineering from Pennsylvania State University in 1981. Mr. Bahnick is a registered Professional Engineer, a member of the Southern Gas Association, and a member of American Society of Mechanical Engineers and Interstate Natural Gas Association of America Operations, Safety and Environmental Committee.
Robert W. Carlton, Vice President of Human Resources and Administration for Central since July 2003, served as Central’s Director of Human Resources since 1997, and prior to that time served as the Director of Human Resources for Central’s predecessors and/or affiliates since 1992, holding various positions in human resources, rates, and accounting during his 23 years in the interstate natural gas pipeline industry. Mr. Carlton earned his B.S. in Accounting from Murray State University in 1983. He is a member of the Southern Gas Association.
Chris W. Ellison, Vice President of Operations-Hesston Division for Central since July 2003, served as Central’s Director of Operations for both the Kansas City and Hesston divisions since 1996, holding various other positions at Central, and/or its predecessors in engineering, operations, and natural gas control during his 29 years in the interstate natural gas pipeline industry. He earned his B.S. in Civil Engineering from the University of Oklahoma in 1978 and is a registered Professional Engineer.
David L. Finley, became Vice President of Information Technology in July 2003. Previously he served as Central’s Director of Information Technology since November 2002, and prior to that time served as manager of Operations and Engineering systems for Central and/or its affiliates since 1998, holding a variety of positions in Information Technology during his 20 years in the interstate natural gas pipeline industry. He earned his B.S. in Geology from Murray State University in 1986.
Beverly H. Griffith became Vice President and Secretary of Southern Star in August 2005. She has been Senior Vice President, General Counsel and Corporate Secretary for Central since July 2003. Previously, she served as Corporate Secretary since November 2002, and served as Central’s General Counsel since 1998, holding a similar position for Central or its predecessors and/or its affiliates since 1995. Ms. Griffith has held a variety of positions in the legal area, including Assistant General Counsel and Senior Attorney, during her 28 years in the interstate natural gas pipeline industry. She received her Bachelor of Arts degree in History from the University of Mississippi in 1976 and her J.D. from the University of Kentucky College of Law in 1979. Ms. Griffith is a member of the Kentucky Bar Association and the Energy Bar Association.
Susanne W. Harris became Vice President, CFO, and Treasurer of Southern Star and Central in August 2005. She had been Vice President of Finance and Accounting for Central since July 2003, has served as Assistant Treasurer for Central since November 2002, and has served as Central’s Controller and Chief Accounting Officer since March 2000, serving in a similar position for its affiliates since 1997. Ms. Harris has held a variety of positions in finance and accounting during her 28 years in the interstate natural gas pipeline industry. Ms. Harris earned her B.S. in Accounting from Brescia College in 1979 and her M.B.A. from Murray State University in 1989. She is a member of accounting committees for the American Gas Association and the Interstate Natural Gas Association of America.
Daryl R. Johnson became Vice President of Rates and Regulatory Affairs for Central in July 2003. Previously he served as Manager of Rates for Central since 1990. Mr. Johnson has held a variety of positions in accounting and rates during his 32 years at Central or its predecessors. He earned his B.S. in Accounting from Southwestern Oklahoma State University in 1975. Mr. Johnson is a current member and the past chairman of the Rates Committee for the Southern Gas Association.
Richard J. Reischman became Vice President of Operations-Kansas City Division for Central in July 2003. Previously he served as Central’s Director of Operations for the Kansas City Division since 2001 and Manager of Operations for various regions of the Central system since 1993. Mr. Reischman has served in a variety of positions in engineering and operations during his 29 years at Central or its predecessors. He received his B.S. in Electrical Engineering from Kansas University in 1978.
There are no family relationships among Southern Star’s directors or the officers listed. Directors serve one-year terms with elections held at each annual meeting or until their successors have been elected and qualified or until their earlier resignation or removal. Officers serve for such term as shall be determined from time to time by the Board of Directors or until successors have been elected and qualified or until their death, resignation or removal. |
