Kim R. Cocklin, Chairman of the Board

Kim R. Cocklin was named Chairman of the Board of Atmos Energy Corporation, effective November 23, 2020, after previously serving as Executive Chairman from October 2017 to November 2020.

He served as chief executive officer of Atmos Energy from October 2015 through September 2017.

He also previously served as president as well as chief executive officer from October 2010 through September 2015, after serving as president and chief operating officer from October 2008 through September 2010 and being  elected to the Board in November 2009.

Mr. Cocklin joined Atmos Energy in 2006, as senior vice president, regulated operations, after serving as senior vice president, general counsel, and chief compliance officer for Piedmont Natural Gas Company in Charlotte, N.C. His legal practice primarily focused on energy, utility, rate and regulatory matters, and he has previously served in the capacity of general counsel as well as other executive management positions for interstate natural gas pipeline companies. Mr. Cocklin holds bachelor's and master's degrees from Wichita State University and a law degree from Washburn University.

Richard K. Gordon, Lead Director

General partner of Juniper Capital LP in Houston, Texas since March 2003, and co-founder of Juniper Capital II in September 2014; and general partner of Juniper Energy LP in Houston, Texas since August 2006; currently a director of ExoStat Medical, Inc.  Mr. Gordon has been a director of Atmos Energy since 2001. 

For both Juniper Capital LP and Juniper Energy LP, Mr. Gordon has been responsible for managing a portfolio comprised of approximately $2 billion of power generation, mineral, oil and gas, natural gas gathering and oilfield services assets for more than ten years. Before working with Juniper Capital and Juniper Energy, Mr. Gordon spent 29 years working with such financial services firms as Dillon, Read & Co., The First Boston Corporation and Merrill Lynch & Co. At such firms, Mr. Gordon was responsible for investment banking activities related to energy and power companies, including natural gas distribution companies.

You may contact the lead director, Richard K. Gordon, as follows: 

1. By e-mail at the following e-mail address:  boardofdirectors@atmosenergy.com  You will receive a prompt response when your e-mail is received. 

2. By regular mail at the following mailing address:  Board of Directors  Atmos Energy Corporation  P. O. Box 650205  Dallas, TX 75265-0205 

However, if you wish to contact the lead director, Mr. Gordon, or the independent or non-management members of the Board of Directors on an anonymous and confidential basis, you may do so by calling the Company's compliance hotline at 1-866-543-4065 or accessing the Company's compliance reporting website  at https://www.compliance-helpline.com/welcomeAtmosEnergy.jsp.

Kevin Akers, Board of Directors

Kevin Akers was named president and chief executive officer in October 2019.

Akers served as executive vice president from November 2018 to October 2019. Prior to this role, he served as Senior Vice President, Safety and Enterprise Services, from January 2017 through October 2018.

Akers also served as president of the Kentucky/Mid-States Division from May 2007 through October 2016 and served as president of the Mississippi Division from 2002 to 2007.

He led the Mississippi Valley Gas transition team for Atmos Energy while serving as vice president of Northern Region Operations for Atmos Energy's Louisiana Division.

From 1997 to 2001, he served as vice president of Eastern Region Operations for Atmos Energy's Kentucky Division.

From 1989 to 1991, he served as senior gas engineer for the Indiana Utility Regulatory Commission.

Akers is a graduate of the University of Alabama.

John C. Ale, Board of Directors

Former Senior Vice President, General Counsel and Corporate Secretary of Southwestern Energy Company, Mr. Ale was appointed as director of Atmos Energy in June 2022.  

Mr. Ale has 30 years’ experience in the energy industry, including Vice President and General Counsel of Occidental Petroleum Corporation from April 2012 to November 2013, and he served as external counsel to the industry as a partner with Skadden, Arps, Slate, Meagher & Flom LLP since 2002. Previously, Ale was a partner with Vinson & Elkins LLP. 

As General Counsel, he participated in the development of Southwestern Energy Company’s cyber security policy and was regularly involved in management, Audit Committee, and Board of Directors’ discussions of cyber matters.

Kelly H. Compton, Board of Directors

Ms. Compton has been a director of Atmos Energy since 2016. Ms. Compton has been a philanthropic leader for over 30 years with The Hoglund Foundation and currently serves as the Executive Director. The Hoglund Foundation partners with education and family support agencies in Dallas, Texas.  Prior to managing operations for The Hoglund Foundation, Ms. Compton served as Vice President of Commercial Lending for NationsBank Texas and its predecessors for 13 years.  Ms. Compton also currently serves on the Board of Trustees for The Perot Museum of Nature and Science, and the Board of Trustees for Southern Methodist University.  

Sean Donohue, Board of Directors

Chief Executive Officer of Dallas Fort Worth International Airport since 2013. Mr. Donohue has been a director of Atmos Energy since 2018. In his role as Chief Executive Officer, Mr. Donohue is responsible for the management, operation and future strategy and development of Dallas Fort Worth International Airport. Mr. Donohue joined Dallas Fort Worth International Airport following a 28-year career in the airline industry. Prior to his arrival at Dallas Fort Worth International Airport, Mr. Donohue served for three years as the Chief Operating Officer for Virgin Australia Airlines, where he led day-to-day operations for Australia’s second largest air carrier. Prior to that, Mr. Donohue served for 25 years with United Airlines in a variety of executive roles that included operations, sales and commercial startups. 

Rafael G. Garza, Board of Directors

President and Founder of RGG Capital Partners, LLC and Co-Founder and managing director of Bravo Equity Partners in Fort Worth, Texas. Mr. Garza has been a director of Atmos Energy since 2016.

Since 2000, Mr. Garza has been managing director of Bravo Equity Partners and President of RGG Capital Partners, LLC, which provide capital to middle-market companies in the U.S. and Mexico, primarily in the financial services, retail, food, and educational service sectors.  He is also actively involved in various private companies, including Bravo Pizzas Houston and Career Educational Services.  Mr. Garza has gained a strong understanding of global and domestic macroeconomics and capital market concepts through his more than 25 years of experience in managing and advising companies in a wide range of industries on corporate finance, investment, development and strategic matters.  He also serves on the boards of several non-profit organizations, including Texas Christian University, the Modern Art Museum of Fort Worth and Baylor Scott & White Holdings.

Edward Geiser, Board of Directors

Mr. Geiser was appointed as a director of Atmos Energy in September 2024. He is the Executive Managing Partner of Juniper Capital Advisors, L.P. and the head of the Investment Committee for the firm and its funds. Prior to the formation of Juniper Capital, Mr. Geiser was a Managing Director at Och-Ziff Capital Management where he focused on Och-Ziff’s private investing activity in the energy industry from 2008 to 2013. Prior to Och-Ziff, Mr. Geiser worked at each of the Merrill Lynch and Morgan Stanley Investment Banking Groups where he provided strategic advisory and capital markets services to companies involved in the energy industry.

Mr. Geiser previously served as Chairman of the Board of Ranger Oil Corporation, a formerly publicly traded oil and gas company. He was also chair of the Nomination, Environmental, Social and Governance Committee and a member of the Compensation Committee.

Nancy K. Quinn, Board of Directors

Independent energy consultant residing in Key Biscayne, Florida. Ms. Quinn has been a director of Atmos Energy since 2004. 

Ms. Quinn provides senior financial and strategic advice, primarily to clients in the energy and natural resources industries. Ms. Quinn has worked in the financial industry for over 35 years as an investment banker and financial consultant specializing in capital markets, financial restructuring, strategic advice, and mergers and acquisitions for a broad range of energy and natural resource companies.  Ms. Quinn gained extensive experience in the diversified natural gas sector and independent exploration and production, as well as in the  oilfield service sectors while holding leadership positions at such firms as PaineWebber Incorporated and Kidder, Peabody & Co. Incorporated. Ms. Quinn has gained corporate governance leadership experience serving as chair of the audit committees of Helix Energy Solutions Group and Endeavour International Corporation.  Ms. Quinn has outside board experience previously serving on the boards of Helix Energy Solutions Group, Endeavour International, Louis Dreyfus Natural Gas and DeepTech International.

Richard A. Sampson, Board of Directors

General partner and founder of RS Core Capital, LLC, a registered investment advisory firm since January 2013; formerly managing director and client adviser of JPMorgan Chase & Co. in New York, San Francisco, and Denver from May 2006 to May 2012. Mr. Sampson has been a director of Atmos Energy since May 2012.

Mr. Sampson held numerous senior leadership positions with JPMorgan Chase, through which he gained extensive knowledge of portfolio management, investment concepts, strategies, and analytical methodologies. Mr. Sampson’s 27 years in investment management has provided him with an understanding of global and domestic macroeconomics and capital market issues, financial markets, securities and a solid understanding of state and federal laws, regulations, and policies.

Telisa Toliver, Board of Directors

Ms. Toliver was appointed as director of Atmos Energy in September 2024. She currently serves as General Manager, Renewable Power for Chevron Pipeline and Power, a division of Chevron USA which manages Chevron’s interest in gas-fired and renewable power generation assets. In this role since 2019, Ms. Toliver leads all commercial, technical, and operations activities related to the integration of renewable power projects with Chevron’s global operations. Prior to this role, Ms. Toliver served as Vice President, Business Development and Strategy for Chevron Pipeline and Power, where she led business development and commercial functions in the pipeline and power business. She also served as a director on various joint venture boards. Prior to Chevron, Ms. Toliver began her career in the energy industry at Texaco working in natural gas sales, fuels management, business development, and strategic planning.

Diana J. Walters, Board of Directors

Founder and Managing Partner of Amichel, LLC since 2019. Ms. Walters has been a director of Atmos Energy since 2018.

Ms. Walters has more than 30 years of experience in the natural resources sector, as an investment banker and equity investor, and in other roles within the sector. Ms. Walters is the owner and sole manager of Amichel, LLC, a company that provides advisory services in the field of natural resources. She was the founder of 575 Grant, LLC, a natural resources advisory firm, from 2014 to 2019.

She served as the President and Chief Executive Officer of Liberty Metals & Mining Holdings, LLC, a private equity firm and as a member of senior management of Liberty Mutual Asset Management from January 2010 to September 2014. She was a Managing Partner of Eland Capital, LLC, a natural resources advisory firm founded by her, from 2007 to 2010.

Ms. Walters has extensive investment experience with both debt and equity through various leadership roles at Credit Suisse, HSBC and other firms. She also served previously as Chief Financial Officer of Tatham Offshore Inc., an independent oil and gas company with assets in the Gulf of Mexico. Ms. Walters also currently serves on the boards of Platinum Group Metals, Ltd., and Trilogy Metals, Inc.

Frank Yoho, Board of Directors

Former Executive Vice President and President of Natural Gas of Duke Energy in Charlotte, North Carolina, Mr. Yoho was appointed as director of Atmos Energy in 2020. 

In his role as Executive Vice President and President of Natural Gas, Mr. Yoho was involved in the strategic planning process for Duke Energy, a Fortune 150 company and one of the largest electric power holding and natural gas companies in the U.S. He was instrumental in the integration of Piedmont Natural Gas into Duke Energy and oversaw operations, commercial, regulatory and community responsibilities for all aspects of the natural gas business for Duke Energy. 

Previously Senior VP and Chief Commercial Officer of Piedmont Natural Gas, Mr. Yoho has more than 35 years’ experience in the natural gas industry in a variety of roles that included, marketing, business development and gas supply. 

He also demonstrated his leadership by serving on the board of the American Gas Association, Southern Gas Association and Energy Production and Infrastructure Center (EPIC) at UNC Charlotte and the board of trustees for the Institute of Gas Technology.

Honorary Director

Robert W. Best, Board of Directors

Retired, formerly chairman of the board of Atmos Energy from April 2013 through September 2017; formerly executive chairman of the board of Atmos Energy from October 2010 through March 2013 and chairman of the board and chief executive officer of Atmos Energy from October 2008 through September 2010; currently a director of Associated Electric & Gas Insurance Services Limited. Mr. Best has been a director of Atmos Energy since March1997.

Best led the senior management team of Atmos Energy, from March 1997 until his retirement as president and chief executive officer on September 30, 2010.

Before joining Atmos Energy, Mr. Best had an extensive background in the natural gas industry, especially in the interstate pipeline, gas marketing, and gas distribution segments of the industry, while serving in leadership roles at Consolidated Natural Gas Company, Transco Energy Company, and Texas Gas Transmission Corporation during his almost 40-year career. Mr. Best also has board experience as a member of the boards of the Maguire Energy Institute at the Cox School of Business at Southern Methodist University, Associated Electric & Gas Insurance Services Limited, and the Gas Technology Institute, with leadership experience as chairman of the boards of Atmos Energy, the American Gas Association, the Southern Gas Association and the Dallas Regional Chamber of Commerce.

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