Background
Petersen, Gerald Thornton was born on September 1, 1934 in Chicago, Illinois, United States. Son of Waldemar R. and Marion (Thornton) Petersen.
Petersen, Gerald Thornton was born on September 1, 1934 in Chicago, Illinois, United States. Son of Waldemar R. and Marion (Thornton) Petersen.
Bachelor of Science in Chemical Engineering, Northwestern University, 1957. Master of Science, Massachusetts Institute of Technology, 1958. Doctor of Philosophy, Massachusetts Institute of Technology, 1960.
With Electric Company, 1960—1968. Director engineering A-C Advanced Electronic Chemical Products, Greendale, Wisconsin, 1968—1970. Director advisory technical center Allis-Chalmers Corporation, Milwaukee, 1970—1976.
Vice president marketing A-C Energy & Minerals Company, 1983—1984. Executive vice president, general manager A-C Coal Gas Corporation, 1980—1983, president, 1985—1988. Chairman, president Xcel Group Inc., since 1988.
Corporation representative World Energy Conference, Washington, 1970—1974. Corporation delegate National Council on Synfuels Production, since 1983. Panelist 6 international conferences.
President Lakes Improvement Association, Elkhorn, Wisconsin, Chicago Symphony Association, Milwaukee. Board directors advisory council Marquette University. Active advisory council University Wisconsin, Milwaukee, 1975—1980.
Member of American Mining Congress, Wisconsin Professional Engineers Society, American Institute Chemical Engineers, Westmoor Country Club, Phi Mu Epsilon, Pi Mu Epsilon, Tau Beta Pi, Sigma Xi.
Married Carol Krametbauer Petersen, June 22, 1957. Children: Charles, James.