SAN DIEGO, June 22, 2006 (PRIMEZONE) -- Jessie J. Knight, Jr., today was named to the newly created position of executive vice president of external affairs for Sempra Energy, overseeing the company's relationships with local, state, federal and international governmental and community organizations, as well as communications.
Knight, 55, who will join the company Aug. 1, 2006, has served as president and chief executive officer of the San Diego Regional Chamber of Commerce since 1999. From 1993 until 1999, he was a commissioner with the California Public Utilities Commission. Knight will report directly to Donald E. Felsinger, chairman and chief executive officer of Sempra Energy. Prior to Aug. 1, Knight will work with the Chamber of Commerce board to ensure a smooth transition is in place.
"Jessie Knight is an outstanding addition to our senior management team," Felsinger said. "One of my priorities is to expand our external affairs outreach at all levels. Jessie has extensive experience in both the public and private sectors managing relationships with the many key external stakeholders who have a major impact on our business."
Prior to his appointment as commissioner with the California Public Utilities Commission, Knight was executive vice president of the San Francisco Chamber of Commerce from 1992 to 1993. Previously, from 1985 to 1992, he served as vice president of marketing for the San Francisco Newspaper Agency, managing marketing for the San Francisco Chronicle and San Francisco Examiner newspapers. From 1975 to 1985, Knight worked in a series of increasingly responsible sales and marketing positions for Dole Food Company, Inc.
Knight serves on numerous community and corporate boards. He holds a bachelor's degree from St. Louis University and a master's degree in business administration from University of Wisconsin.
Sempra Energy (NYSE:SRE), based in San Diego, is a Fortune 500 energy services holding company with 2005 revenues of $11.7 billion. The Sempra Energy companies' 14,000 employees serve more than 29 million consumers in the United States, Europe, Canada, Mexico, South America and Asia.