Jessie J. Knight Jr.
Chairman
Jessie J. Knight, Jr. is CEO and Managing Director of Knight Angels LLC, a private equity fund devoted to the financial and philanthropic support of grassroot leaders developing innovative community solutions. Mr. Knight retired in 2015 as Sempra Energy’s Executive Vice President of External Affairs and Chief Sustainability Officer. Mr. Knight held C-Suite leadership for the San Francisco Chronicle and Examiner newspapers. Mr. Knight also retired as a director of Alaska Airlines and Alaska Air Group. He currently serves on the Board and executive committee of the U.S. Chamber of Commerce in Washington D.C and the board of the Hudson Institute. Mr. Knight previously served as commissioner for the California Public Utilities Commission and was the CEO of San Diego Gas and Electric from 2010-2014. Mr. Knight is the former President and CEO of the San Diego Regional Chamber of Commerce and Executive Vice President of the San Francisco Chamber of Commerce. Mr. Knight is director of St. Louis University and in 2022, received an honorary doctorate in commerce from St. Louis University-Madrid. Mr. Knight also has international management experience with Dole Foods Company banana and seafood businesses, and for five years served as Marketing Director for Dole’s North America pineapple business. In 2021 San Diego State University conferred the Doctor of Humane Letters (L.H.D.) on Mr. Knight. Mr. Knight is married to Joye D. Blount, former Senior Vice President of Private Wealth Management of Bank of America and former Vice President Private Wealth Advisor for U.S. Bank Corporation.
