Executive Management

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.

In February 2017, Chris Forsythe was named senior vice president and chief financial officer. Forsythe joined Atmos Energy in June 2003 and was promoted to director, financial reporting, in September 2003. He was promoted to vice president and controller in May 2009. Prior to joining Atmos Energy, Forsythe was a senior manager at PricewaterhouseCoopers LLP, where he worked from 1993 to 2003.

Forsythe is a graduate of Baylor University, where he received BBA degrees in accounting and management information systems.

Karen joined Atmos Energy in June 2015 as a Senior Attorney and was promoted to Senior Vice President, General Counsel, and Corporate Secretary in August 2017.   Prior to joining Atmos Energy, she was in private practice for 19 years, most recently serving as Managing Partner of the Jackson Lewis LLP Dallas office.  Karen was a partner in the Dallas office of Baker Botts LLP before joining Jackson Lewis as a partner in 2009. 

Karen is a graduate of the College of William and Mary and the University of Texas School of Law.  

In October 2021, John McDill was named senior vice president, utility operations. 

McDill was named vice president, pipeline safety in May 2012. Formerly Mississippi Division operations vice president, McDill is now responsible for the strategic direction and plan oversight for pipeline and distribution safety and compliance. McDill also assumes the responsibilities for employee safety, security, and wireless meter reading.

McDill joined Atmos Energy in 2002 with the acquisition of Mississippi Valley Gas and has 25 years of experience in the energy industry.

McDill earned a Bachelor of Science degree in petroleum engineering from Mississippi State University. 

Matt was promoted to senior vice president, human resources in January 2017. Previously Robbins served as vice president, human resources, beginning February 2015, and as director of compensation and benefits, which he held since 2013.

Before joining Atmos Energy, Robbins had 20 years of employee benefits experience, including eight years in leadership roles. Matt has a bachelor’s degree from Abilene Christian University and a master’s degree from the University of Texas at Arlington.

Bart Armstrong was named president of the Colorado/Kansas division on December 1, 2020.  Previously, he served as vice president of operations in Colorado/Kansas division.

Bart joined Atmos Energy, West Texas Division (formerly the Energas Company)  in October of 1990 as a meter reader.  He later served as marketing manager in Midland, industrial marketing manager Permian Basin, operations manager in Lubbock, and then moved to Olathe in 2009 to take on the role of vice president marketing. In 2011, he began to serve in his previous role of vice president operations. Bart was formerly chair of Atmos Energy's Utility Operations Council.

Bart holds a Bachelor of Science degree from Texas Tech University.

He has been active in a number of community organizations including United Way, Mission South Side Olathe, and also currently serves on the Distribution Operations Management Committee for the Southern Gas Association.

Colorado/Kansas Division Officers

Liz Beauchamp was named vice president, governmental and public affairs in August 2017. 

Beauchamp leads the company’s corporate communication and creative marketing services teams. She also chairs Atmos Energy's Governmental Affairs Committee, is a member of the Atmos Energy Political Action Committee, and provides overall guidance for the corporation's public affairs organization in its eight-state utility operations.

A steadfast champion of the community and those within it, Beauchamp oversees Atmos Energy’s Fueling Safe and Thriving Communities philanthropic outreach, which focuses on three primary areas: students, community heroes, and our vulnerable neighbors. She is also involved with a number of community organizations such as the United Way of Metropolitan Dallas and serves on several boards including North Texas Commission and Downtown Dallas Inc.

Prior to assuming her current role, Beauchamp served as the director of public affairs for the Mid-Tex Division of Atmos Energy.

Matt Davison was named president of the Mississippi Division on September 1, 2022. Previously, he served as Vice President of Rates and Regulatory Affairs in Atmos Energy’s Mississippi Division.  

Davidson started his career in 2004 as a gas supply analyst in Louisiana. Throughout his 18-year career, he served as Director of Gas Supply and was then promoted to Vice President of Marketing in Mississippi in 2018.

He is involved in many impactful organizations throughout the state of Mississippi, including the Mississippi Economic Council’s Leadership Mississippi Program and the Madison County Business League and Foundation. He holds a bachelor’s degree in finance from the University of Alabama and a master's degree in Business Administration from Tulane University.

Kevin Dobbs was named President of Atmos Energy Kentucky/Mid-States division in April 2017.  Previously, Dobbs served for ten years as vice president of operations for the Northern Region of the Kentucky/Mid-States Division.

A Franklin, KY native, Dobbs began his career with Atmos Energy in 1985 first as an apprentice then later as supervisor and operations manager for the company’s operations in Kentucky.  Dobbs holds a bachelor’s degree in Biology and Biophysics from Western Kentucky University.  

Rich Gius was named vice president and chief information officer in 2007. He previously worked for Cardinal Health, Inc., where he had been CIO and senior vice president of information technology for Allegiance Healthcare, the company's medical products and services group, and senior vice president of enterprise solutions for its shared services IT organization. 

In 2003, he was named by Computerworld magazine as a Premier 100 IT Leader, recognizing IT leaders who have applied information technology in effective, creative and innovative ways to advance their organization's strategy. He also was honored as a 1999 national finalist for the Computerworld Smithsonian Business Technology Award. From 1979 to 1982, he held positions in both marketing and technology at Boise Cascade Corporation.

Gius earned a bachelor's degree in computer science from Northern Illinois University and a master's degree in business administration from the University of Chicago.

Conrad Gruber was named vice president, strategic planning, in July 2004. He had been named president in June 2001 of the Louisiana Division's predecessor, Atmos Energy Louisiana, which combined the former operations of Trans Louisiana Gas Company and Louisiana Gas Service Company. Previously, Gruber served as president of the former Western Kentucky Gas Division from 1999 to 2001. He began his career with Atmos Energy in February 1991 as engineering and measurement coordinator in the Dallas headquarters.

From 1994 to 1999, he served as vice president, technical services, of the Greeley Gas Division in Denver, Colorado.

Gruber holds a Bachelor of Science degree in mechanical engineering from the University of Texas at Austin.

Jeff Knights was named Senior Vice President, Technical and Operating Services, in August 2018.  Jeff is responsible for the Technical Services organization supporting the Mid-Tex and Atmos Pipeline-Texas divisions, including overseeing the annual capital budget for both divisions.  He also has responsibility for the strategic integration of technical systems, operating systems, and technology into the business.

Jeff joined Atmos Energy in 1992 and held various positions in operations, construction and engineering.  He holds a BS from the University of Maine and an MBA from Southern Methodist University.  Jeff is also a Licensed Professional Engineer in Texas.

Jeff is active in the community with Toys for Tots, Multiple Sclerosis Society, and many local events.

Martin joined Atmos Energy in April, 2009 as manager of technical training delivery. She was named director of technical training in November 2010. Prior to joining Atmos Energy, she held leadership roles at Microsoft, Alcatel and Gabberts.

Martin holds a bachelor’s degree in public relations from Southern Methodist University, and a master’s in interdisciplinary studies in organizational behavior from the University of Texas at Dallas.

In January 2020, Jeff Martinez was named president of Atmos Pipeline - Texas.

In March 2018, Jeff was named vice president of customer service organization. Prior, Jeff served as vice president of operations in the Mid-Tex Division of Atmos Energy. In his 21 years with the Company, he has held positions in strategic management, engineering and operations.

Jeff is a graduate of Texas A&M University with a bachelor’s degree in mechanical engineering. He has been active in a number of community organizations including Big Brothers –Big Sisters and the Fort Worth Diocesan School Advisory Council, as well as American Gas Association and Southern Gas Association committees.

Daniel M. Meziere was named vice president of investor relations and treasurer in August 2020. Since 2011, he was vice president and treasurer and prior to that role, he served as the director of accounting services for nine years.

Before joining Atmos Energy, Meziere worked for Hilton Reservations Worldwide as vice president of finance. Earlier, he spent more than 15 years in the energy industry in various positions with Oryx Energy and Santa Fe International.

Meziere holds a master's of business administration degree in finance from the University of Dallas and a Bachelor of Science degree in accounting from East Central University. He is a member of the Oklahoma Society of Certified Public Accountants.

Richard Mitschke was named vice president of Customer Service on January 1, 2021. Previously, he served as Director, Customer Service Systems. 

Richard joined Atmos Energy in 2008 as Director, IT Strategy and Planning. In 2012, he transitioned to the role of Director, Customer Service Systems. He previously served on Atmos Energy’s Utility Marketing Council, Utility Operations Council, and the Culture Council.  

Richard holds a bachelor’s degree from the University of Texas. He also earned an MBA from the University of Michigan.

Prior to joining Atmos Energy, Joel was Managing Director of Tax Accounting, Forecasting, and Regulatory Support at American Electric Power Company and also previously worked for Walgreens Boots Alliance and WEC Energy Group.

Becky Palmer was named president of the West Texas Division on January 1, 2017.  Previously, she served as vice president rates and regulatory affairs in West Texas.

Becky joined Atmos Energy in December 2005 as a financial reporting analyst.  She later served as manager of gas revenue accounting and director of gas accounting and rate administration before joining the West Texas Division as vice president of rates and regulatory in 2014.

Becky holds a bachelor’s degree in business administration and a master’s in professional accounting, both from West Texas A&M and is a licensed CPA. 

She has been active in a number of community organizations including United Way in Dallas and Lubbock, Leadership Lubbock, and as a Child Advocate for CASA of the South Plains. Becky is also currently chair of the Texas Gas Association.

John Paris was named president of the Mid-Tex Division in May 2007. Paris is responsible for Atmos Energy's largest division with 1.6 million customers. Previously, Paris served as president of the Kentucky/Mid-States Division, which was the largest Atmos Energy territory until the acquisition of the Mid-Tex Division.

Paris joined Atmos Energy in 1985 and held numerous positions in operations, marketing and engineering. Paris graduated from Berea College in Berea, Kentucky, with a Bachelor of Arts in history.

Jennifer Ries was named vice president of pipeline safety on January 1, 2022. Previously, she served as president of the Louisiana Division. 

Ries began her career with Atmos Energy in the West Texas Division as an engineer. She eventually became an Operations Supervisor, where she worked in Construction, Service and Compliance.  She later served as a Senior Rates Analyst, Compliance Manager and Engineering Manager. In 2015, Jennifer joined the Colorado-Kansas Division and was promoted to the position of Vice President of Rates and Regulatory Affairs. 

Ries has been an active member of each community where she has lived and worked, including involvement in organizations such as the Denver Rescue Mission and United Way. She holds a degree in Mechanical Engineering from Texas Tech University. 

Richard Thomas joined Atmos Energy in June 2013 as director capital markets and was promoted to vice president and controller in February 2017. Prior to joining Atmos Energy, Richard was assistant controller at Tuesday Morning Corporation and senior manager at Ernst & Young LLP, where he worked from 2003 to 2012.

Richard is a graduate of Texas A&M University, where he received a BBA degree in accounting and MS in finance and is a licensed CPA.  He and his wife, Jennifer, have two kids.

Oric Walker was named president of the Louisiana Division on January 1, 2022. Previously, he served as Vice President of Public Affairs in Atmos Energy’s Mid-Tex Division. 

Walker began his career with Atmos Energy in the Mid-Tex Division as a meter reader in 1996. Throughout his more than 25 years with the company, he has worked in Operations, Marketing, and Public Affairs. Following his promotion to the position of Director of Southeast Region Operations, Walker was promoted to Vice President of Marketing. He then served as the Vice President of Public Affairs. 

He has served the North Texas community in many impactful roles, including leadership roles with the Dallas Regional Chamber, Junior League of Dallas, and African American Museum of Dallas.