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K-State Today

February 4, 2014

Feb. 11 Lou Douglas Lecture features John Hofmeister

Submitted by Olivia Collins

John Hofmeister is a key  member of the United States Energy Security Council, a bipartisan group which  includes former Secretary of State George P. Shultz and two former secretaries  of defense, William J. Perry and Harold Brown, as well as three former national  security advisers, a former C.I.A. director, two former senators, a Nobel  laureate, a former Federal Reserve chairman, and several Fortune-50 chief  executives.

Upon retirement from Shell  Oil Co. in 2008, Hofmeister founded and heads the not-for-profit  nationwide membership association, Citizens for Affordable  Energy. This Washington, D.C.-registered  public policy education firm promotes sound U.S. energy security solutions for the nation, including a range of affordable energy supplies, efficiency  improvements, essential infrastructure, sustainable environmental policies and public education on energy issues.

As Shell president, Hofmeister launched an extensive outreach program, unprecedented in the energy  industry, to discuss critical global energy challenges. The program included an 18-month, 50-city engagement program across the country during which Hofmeister led 250 other Shell leaders to meet with more than 15,000 business, community and civic  leaders, policymakers and academics to discuss what must be done to ensure  affordable, available energy for the future.

A business leader who has  participated in the inner workings of multiple industries for more than 35 years, Hofmeister also has held executive leadership positions in General Electric, Nortel and AlliedSignal, now Honeywell International.

Hofmeister serves as the chairman of the National Urban League and is a member of the U.S. Department of  Energy’s Hydrogen and Fuel Cell Technical Advisory Committee. He serves as nonexecutive director of the Hunting PLC, London, U.K.; Lufkin Industries Inc.; CAMAC Energy; Inc.; Sodexo North America business advisory board; and adviser to Liberty Power of Fort Lauderdale, Fla., the nation’s largest minority owned power company. Hofmeister also serves on the boards of the National Energy Security Council, Washington, D.C.; the Foreign Policy Association, New York; Strategic Partners LLC; the Gas Technology Institute; and the Center for Houston’s Future.  Hofmeister is a fellow of the National Academy of Human Resources. He also is a past chairman and serves as a director of the Greater Houston Partnership. Hofmeister is active in education serving on the Energy Advisory Board at the University of Houston. He is also a director of the Texas Education Reform Committee.

Hofmeister earned bachelor’s  and master’s degrees in political science from Kansas State University. In May 2010, he was awarded an honorary doctorate of letters from the University of Houston. Hofmeister is the author of "Why We  Hate the Oil Companies: Straight Talk from an Energy Insider."

The Lou Douglas Lectures seeks to extend understanding of public policies that can further democratize society. Sponsored by UFM Community Learning Center, more information about this lecture and the series may be found at www.tryufm.org.