Laureates' Biographies
B.Z. Kastler
B.Z. Kastler joined Mountain Fuel Supply Corp., now Questar Corp, in 1952 as the company attorney. He moved on to become the president, and then chairman, of the natural gas-focused energy company. Kastler's years of service with the company are marked by unprecedented customer growth and financial gain.
Kastler was named president of Mountain Fuel in 1972, shortly before the onset of the Arab Oil embargo, which triggered the longest era of price increases in the fossil fuel indutry's history. Mountain Fuel successfully weathered this period and in 1976 when the company was re-organized into Questar Corp., Kastler was named chairman. He served as chairman until 1984.
Kastler strived to embody the principles of service, loyalty, tenacity, and courage in his leadership roles. As the leader of the company, his objective was, "to treat employees well, to succeed financially while maintaining a conservative capital structure, to separate the company's regulated and non-regulated activities, and to be a good corporate citizen." In the course of his tenure with the company all of these objectives were achieved.
Kastler was born in Billlings, Montana in 1920. He was educated at Polytechnic College, the University of Colorado, and graduated Summa Cum Laude from the University of Utah with a doctorate of law. Kastler served on numerous boards over the years ranging from corporations to non-profit organizations, and he has been recognized as an important civic leader of Salt Lake City.
Return To List »
|