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.