Charif Souki served as the CEO of Cheniere Energy from its early days in 2002 until his departure in 2015. He earned a Master’s Degree in Business Administration from the University of Pennsylvania, which helped him lead the company in...

Charif Souki served as the CEO of Cheniere Energy from its early days in 2002 until his departure in 2015. He earned a Master’s Degree in Business Administration from the University of Pennsylvania, which helped him lead the company in the competitive field of liquefied natural gas (LNG). During his tenure, Souki oversaw significant milestones, including the development of the Sabine Pass LNG terminal, marking a major shift in energy export from the U.S. Notably, his compensation has been quite varied; in 2015, he received total compensation of about $54 million due to large phantom stock units vesting before his exit. He interestingly had a dual payroll setup during a stint in London to enhance international operations. His insider trading shows substantial fluctuations in his wealth, peaking at $520.08 million in late 2024 from steady growth over the years. Charif’s career reflects strategic decisions that shaped the future of Cheniere Energy, indicating a focus on both operational efficiency and shareholder value.