PEOPLE IN BUSINESS

Sempra Energy, the owner of Southern California Gas Co. and San Diego Gas & Electric, said Stephen Baum, vice chairman, president and chief operating officer, has been appointed chief executive, succeeding Richard Farman. Baum, 59, also will become chairman of the San Diego-based company when Farman retires Sept. 1. Baum’s appointment is part of a succession plan agreed to when Sempra was formed in 1998 through Enova Corp.’s $4.5-billion acquisition of Pacific Enterprises.