Looking back with no regrets

Looking back on his career, Richard Farman has no regrets.

Well, maybe one.

"When I was very young, I wanted to lie a fire chief," Farman says, smiling.

When he realized that fighting fires wasn't his destiny, he switched to business and never looked back.

Now 63 and the CEO and chairman of Sempra Energy, Farman is able to look back on his life with the satisfaction that comes from having been a part of some of his industry's greatest changes.

Born and raised in San Francisco's Mineral Park, Farman attended nearby Stanford University--a choice that initially pleased his parents, who hoped to see him regularly.

"My parents suggested--and I took advantage of their suggestion--to live on campus, but my mother once said she wished I'd gone away someplace else to school so she could have seen me more," recalls Farman, who spent most of his time on campus.

After receiving a degree in economics, he faced a major debate--stay in school, go to work, study law or study business.

"I must say that (economics) was a good, solid academic program, but not of great, practical everyday value.

"It was important though, and it's been useful in my career, knowing about economics and law in an industry that up until recently, was highly regulated."

After Farman graduated, his debate on what to do with the rest of his life was put on hold as he served three years in the U.S. Navy.

It was an experience that changed his view on life and the world, and one he says permanently enriched him.

"I enjoyed the naval training. I enjoyed the opportunity to see part of the world at a young age that I probably otherwise would not have seen."

Stationed on Okinawa in the late 1950s, he admits it was "not exactly a vacation destination," but took advantage of hip location to visit other destinations in Asia.

"I had a wonderful time, and I learned a lot. That...