Abdulhadi H. Taher | |
---|---|
Born | 1930 |
Died | 2013 |
Nationality | Saudi Arabian |
Alma mater | Haas School of Business (Ph.D, 1964) |
Occupation(s) | Oil executive, author, and philanthropist |
Known for | Director General of the Saudi Arabian Ministry of Petroleum and Minerals |
Children | Tarek Taher |
Abdulhadi H. Taher (1930 – 2013) was a Saudi Arabian oil executive and author. He was the Director General of the Saudi Arabian Ministry of Petroleum and Minerals.[1][2]
Taher was born in Medina in 1930 to a family of limited means.[3] He earned his PhD in Business Administration from what is now the Haas School of Business at the University of California, Berkeley in 1964. Taher died in 2013.[4][2]
Taher was described as "one of the most powerful figures" in Saudi Arabia.[5] He spent his career working in both the public and private sectors. He served as the Director General of the Saudi Arabian Ministry of Petroleum and Minerals, the government-owned corporation that develops the Mideast nation's petroleum, petrochemical and mineral industries.[6] He was also the founder of the Al-Taher Group,[7] a collection of companies that focus on construction, engineering, trading and real estate ventures in Saudi Arabia.[8] The Al-Taher Group employs a workforce of more than 2500 employees based throughout the Arab region. Taher served as a board member of Saudi Aramco and as the governor and founding director general of the Petromin Corporation.[8]
Taher was a major shareholder in Gulf Oil the multinational oil company, alongside the Hinduja group.
Taher lectured at the business school at King Saud University in Riyadh.[9]
Taher was a Knight of Thailand. He was ennobled by King Bhumibol Adulyadej in 1980.[10][11]
In 2002, Taher established an endowed chair at The American University in Cairo.[12] The Abdulhadi H. Taher Chair in Comparative Religions was situated within the Department of History at the American University. The Chair was dedicated to the academic study of comparative religious history and theory.[13]
In 2002, Taher established an endowed chair at The American University in Cairo.[14] The Abdulhadi H. Taher Chair in Comparative Religions was situated within the Department of History at the American University. The Chair was dedicated to the academic study of comparative religious history and theory.[15]
Taher has authored or co-authored four books.