2008 Distinguished Nebraskan Award Recipient Walter Scott, Jr. WALTER SCOTT, JR. is a Director and Chairman Emeritus of Peter Kiewit Sons’, Inc. He also currently serves as Chairman of the Board of Level 3 Communications, Inc., one of the largest Internet Protocol transit networks in North America and Europe, a company spun off from Kiewit in 1998. Walter received his civil engineering degree from Colorado State University in 1953. While pursuing his degree, he worked for Kiewit’s construction operations during summer breaks. Following graduation, he began work as an engineer in Kiewit’s Omaha-area operations. In 1954, he joined the U.S. Air Force, serving as an air installation officer, inspecting road and runway construction for the military. After completing his Air Force service, Walter rejoined Kiewit as an Engineer on the Monticello Dam project in California. The following year, he was Project Engineer on a channel excavation project on the St. Lawrence Seaway. Walter transferred to Kiewit’s Cleveland District in 1958 where he prepared estimates for highway projects. He was promoted to District Engineer in 1959 and in that position had overall responsibility for the district’s estimating and bidding activities. He was named Assistant District Manager in 1961 and District Manager in 1962. In 1964, Walter was elected a Vice President of the company and was transferred to headquarters in Omaha to assume responsibility for construction operations east of the Mississippi River. He was elected Executive Vice President in 1965 and given the additional responsibility of overseeing construction operations in the eastern provinces of Canada. Walter was first elected to the Kiewit board in 1964 and named President in 1979. When Peter Kiewit died later that same year, Walter was selected to succeed him as Chairman. He served as Chairman and CEO of Kiewit until April 1998. Back to list

© 2008 The Nebraska Society of Washington, D.C., Inc. All rights reserved.                           Post Office Box 65243, Washington, D.C. 20035-5243