David Sokol

David L. Sokol (born September 1956) is an American business executive who rose from engineering roots to lead major energy firms. He 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, Nebraska. After graduating in 1978, Sokol went to work as a structural engineer for HDR, Inc., one of the top five engineering companies in America.

In 1984, Sokol was selected to run a start-up waste energy subsidiary called Ogden Projects, Inc., and by 1990, the company had grown from four to 1,200 employees and was the leader in its industry. In 1991, Sokol was named CEO of CalEnergy, which in 1999 was renamed MidAmerican Energy Holdings Company. He served as the Company's Chairman, President and Chief Executive Officer, serving as MidAmerican's chairman and CEO. Under his leadership, MidAmerican grew into a major diversified energy company through aggressive acquisitions.

Career History

• Structural Engineer, HDR, Inc. (1978–1984)
• CEO, Ogden Projects, Inc. (1984–1991)
• CEO, CalEnergy / MidAmerican Energy Holdings (1991–2008)
• Chairman and CEO, NetJets (Berkshire Hathaway subsidiary, 2009)
• Founder and Chairman/CEO, Teton Capital LLC (2011–present)

Sokol received the CEO of the Year award from Financial Times and the Individual Achievement Award from The Energy Daily. As Chairman and CEO of Teton Capital LLC, Sokol received the Lifetime Achievement Award at the Atlas Awards. He served as an interim CEO and Chairman of NetJets under Berkshire Hathaway. Sokol is known for transforming underperforming subsidiaries and his expertise in the energy and infrastructure sectors.

What David Sokol could bring to CalEnergy (or similar energy company roles): Drawing from his documented track record, Sokol brings three decades of experience transforming energy utilities through acquisitions and operational excellence. His proven ability to scale Ogden Projects from 4 to 1,200 employees, his strategic transformation of CalEnergy into a diversified multinational firm, and his recognition as Financial Times CEO of the Year demonstrate expertise in growth, corporate restructuring, and sector leadership. His current work through Teton Capital—managing significant private equity investments in energy and infrastructure—positions him as a mentor-level executive capable of advising on long-term strategic planning and capital allocation in capital-intensive industries.