Morningstar Inc. has named Rich Kinder of Kinder Morgan as its 2005 CEO of the Year. Kinder is also chairman and CEO of Kinder Morgan Energy Partners and Kinder Morgan Management.
Morningstar’s annual award recognizes a CEO who exhibits exemplary corporate stewardship, demonstrates independent thinking, creates lasting value for shareholders, and has put his or her stamp on an industry.
“We’ve followed Kinder Morgan for years and have always been a fan of Rich Kinder’s management style,” says Patrick Dorsey, director of stock analysis for Morningstar. “He’s made key long-term, contrarian decisions to solidify the company’s future and created a tremendous amount of value for shareholders since taking over in 1997. With compensation that rewards long-term value creation and is tied to company performance, Kinder has demonstrated exemplary stewardship.”
Kinder served as Enron’s president from 1990 to 1996. After leaving Enron, he and his partner, Bill Morgan, purchased a controlling stake in one of Enron’s pipeline businesses, Enron Liquids Pipeline LP. They renamed it Kinder Morgan Energy Partners, and the company has continued to grow.
“We have always admired the steady performance of Kinder Morgan’s core business,” Dorsey says. “Kinder’s ability to use capital wisely, think strategically and treat shareholders with respect placed him at the top for our CEO of the Year award.”
CAREERBUILDER.COM
CareerBuilder.com appointed Brent Rasmussen chief operating officer. He has worked with the company for six years, most recently as senior vice president of sales for two years. Before that, he worked in several management positions within the company. Prior to joining CareerBuilder.com, he served as manager of business services for Xerox Corp., where he worked for nine years.
LAWSON PRODUCTS INC.
Scott Stephens was named chief financial officer of Lawson Products Inc. He has been the company’s senior vice president of finance and accounting since 2004.
Before joining Lawson, he was CFO and chief operating officer of a children’s apparel importer. He is also a CPA and earned a degree from The Ohio State University and an MBA from the Kellogg Graduate School of Management at Northwestern University.
Also at Lawson, William Holmes was named treasurer. He previously served as the company’s assistant treasurer. Holmes has worked for the company since 1978. He graduated from DePaul University and began his career in the accounting department of Lawson. He became vice president and assistant treasurer in 2001.
He earned a master’s degree from the Lake Forest Graduate School of Management and serves on the board of directors for Vamco Credit Union.
UNITED AIRLINES
Jeff Foland was appointed to a one-year term on the executive committee of the Chicago Convention and Tourism Bureau’s board of directors.
He is vice president-North American sales for United Airlines, where helps guide the overall mission and direction of the bureau in promoting Chicago as a premier visitor destination.
NEW ENTERPRISE ASSOCIATES
Peter Barris was named to the board of directors of InnerWorkings. He is managing general partner of New Enterprise Associates.
He joined the company in 1992, became a general partner in 1993 and managing general partner in 1999. He specializes in information technology companies. InnerWorkings hired him for his technology expertise to help the company fuel continued growth.
CME
CME appointed John P. Davidson III managing director and chief corporate development officer. He previously worked as managing director and operations officer for Morgan Stanley’s global operations and services division.
He is responsible for overseeing the company’s corporate development team and corporate research. He has more than 25 years of experience in the global financial services industry.
CORN PRODUCTS INTERNATIONAL INC.
Corn Products International Inc. hired David A. Prichard as director, investor relations.
He brings more than 20 years of senior investor relations and corporate communications experience spanning the agricultural, chemical, health care, industrial and telecommunications sectors. He most recently worked as director, investor relations and corporate communications for Modine Manufacturing Co. in Racine, Wis.
He is a member of the National Investor Relations Institute and its senior roundtable. He is also president of the Chicago chapter of NIRI for 2005 to 2006.
HARMON INC.
Harmon Inc. promoted Brian Buffa to project manager.
He serves Chicagoland customers and their projects and previously worked as project coordinator. He joined the company three years ago after earning his bachelor’s degree in construction from Bradley University’s college of engineering and technology.
CHICAGO CHILDREN’S MUSEUM
Chicago Children’s Museum hired Breelyn Pete as associate vice president of public affairs. She is responsible for developing and executing a proactive communication strategy for the museum.
She comes from the city of Chicago department of procurement services, where she served as communications director. Prior to that, she worked as director of intergovernmental and public affairs for the Chicago Buildings Department.
Submit items and photos to [email protected]
