James W. Christmas '70CBA began his professional career by
securing an internship at the accounting firm of Arthur Andersen
when he was still an undergraduate at St. John’s University.
His internship led to a paid position at the firm, which he
immediately started on a day between his last final examination and
commencement. During his career at Arthur Andersen, Christmas
worked with a variety of clients, primarily in the energy areas of
oil, gas and electric utilities.
Christmas left Arthur Andersen as Senior Manager in March, 1978
to accept the position of Corporate Controller at National
Utilities and Industries, a diversified gas utility company with a
variety of ancillary energy businesses. While at National
Utilities and Industries his responsibilities included
troubleshooting problems at a number of subsidiary companies, and
his success led him to also serve as Vice President and/or
President at several of these subsidiaries.
Christmas had been serving as Vice President of Planning and
Development when he orchestrated the spinoff of National Utilities
and Industries’ non regulated businesses in 1988 and became
President and CEO of KCS Group, a newly created company which later
became KCS Energy. Under his leadership, KCS grew from a tiny
startup to a nearly $2 billion enterprise. In 2006 KCS Energy
merged with Petrohawk Energy Corporation, an independent energy
company engaged in the acquisition, production, exploration and
development of oil and gas, with properties concentrated in North
Louisiana, Arkansas, East Texas, South Texas and Oklahoma.
Petrohawk is one of the premier oil and gas companies involved in
the new shale gas technology which is adding significantly to the
nation’s gas supplies. Christmas currently serves as Vice
Chairman of the Board of Petrohawk.