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.

Jessica Bateman joined Atmos Energy in January 2025 as senior vice president, general counsel, and corporate secretary. 

Prior to joining Atmos Energy, she was in private practice for over 20 years at Baker Botts L.L.P., where she was a partner in the Dallas office serving in a variety of administrative roles while handling complex trial and regulatory matters.   

Bateman received her undergraduate and law degrees from the University of Texas at Austin. 

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 Hartsfield is currently a senior advisor.

In August 2017, she was named senior vice president, general counsel, and corporate secretary. Hartsfield joined Atmos Energy in June 2015 as a senior attorney. Prior to joining Atmos Energy, she was in private practice for 19 years, serving as managing partner of the Jackson Lewis LLP Dallas office and a partner in the Dallas office of Baker Botts LLP.

Hartsfield 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 is responsible for the strategic direction and oversight of the pipeline and distribution safety and compliance plan, as well as employee safety, security, and wireless meter reading. Previously, McDill was vice president of pipeline safety and vice president of Mississippi Division operations.

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 Robbins was promoted to senior vice president, human resources in January 2017.

Previously, Robbins served as vice president, human resources, beginning in 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.

Armstrong 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, and operations manager in Lubbock. Armstrong moved to Olathe in 2009 to take on the role of vice president of marketing. Armstrong was formerly chair of Atmos Energy's Utility Operations Council.

Armstrong 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.

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.  

Travis Cooper was named president of Atmos Pipeline – Texas on December 1, 2023. Previously, he served as vice president of pipeline operations for Atmos Pipeline – Texas. 

Cooper began his career with Atmos Energy in 2009 as an engineer in the Mid-Tex Division. In 2022, he was named vice president of pipeline operations for Atmos Pipeline – Texas. Prior to that, he served as a vice president of operations in the Mid-Tex Division. Throughout his career, he has held various roles in engineering, construction management, and operations support.  

Cooper holds a bachelor's degree in mechanical engineering from Baylor University and is a licensed Professional Engineer in Texas. He serves on the Texas Pipeline Association board. 

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. 

Mike Dickson was named vice president of customer Service on April 1, 2023. Previously, he served as director of dispatch.

Dickson joined Atmos Energy nearly 40 years ago, starting his career as a utility worker in 1983. Throughout his career, he has served in various roles in operations including crew leader, project coordinator, operations supervisor, and operations manager before moving to the customer service organization in 2010.  

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.  

Michelle Faulk was named vice president and controller in October 2024.

Faulk joined Atmos Energy in 2009 where she served as mnager, financial reporting. In 2017, she became director, financial reporting, and was then promoted to director of accounting services and financial reporting in 2020. Prior to joining Atmos Energy, Faulk was Senior Manager at KPMG LLP in the firm’s audit group where she worked from 2002 to 2009.

Faulk is a graduate of Texas Christian University, where she earned her BBA and MBA in accounting, and is a licensed CPA.

Conrad Gruber was named vice president, strategic planning, in July 2004.

He was named president of the Louisiana Division in 2001 and served as president of the former Western Kentucky Gas Division from 1999 to 2001. From 1994 to 1999, he served as vice president of technical services for the Greeley Gas Division in Denver, Colorado. He began his career with Atmos Energy in February 1991 as an engineering and measurement coordinator in the Dallas headquarters.

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

Kelli Martin was named vice president of workforce development in 2025.

Previously, she was the director of technical training in November 2010.  She joined Atmos Energy in April 2009 as manager of technical training delivery. 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. 

Jeff Martinez was named president of the Mid-Tex Division in December 2023. Martinez is responsible for Atmos Energy's largest division with 1.8 million customers. 

Previously, Martinez served as president of Atmos Pipeline - Texas. Prior to that, he served as vice president of the customer service organization and vice president of operations in the Mid-Tex Division. In his 27 years with the Company, he has held key leadership positions in engineering, operations, and customer service.  

Martinez 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.

He has served on the Texas Pipeline Association board, the SGA and AGA Customer Service Committees, and the Operations and Engineering 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 and chief information officer on April 1, 2023.

Previously, he served as vice president of customer service. Richard joined Atmos Energy in 2008 as director, IT strategy and planning. In 2012, he transitioned to the role of director, customer service systems, and in 2021, he began serving as vice president of customer service.

He previously served on Atmos Energy’s Utility Marketing Council, Utility Operations Council, and the Culture Council.  

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

Joel Multer joined Atmos Energy in August 2021 as vice president, tax. 

Prior to joining Atmos Energy, he 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.

Multer is a graduate of the University of Wisconsin, Milwaukee where he received a BBA degree in accounting and an MS in Tax, and is a licensed CPA. He and his wife Thu have a son and a daughter.

Becky Palmer was named president of the West Texas Division on January 1, 2017. 

Previously, she served as vice president of rates and regulatory affairs in West Texas. Palmer 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.

Palmer 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. 

Jennifer Ries was named vice president of technical training on June 1, 2026.

Previously, she was the vice president of pipeline safety and the president of the Louisiana Division. 

Ries began her career with Atmos Energy in the West Texas Division as an engineer. She was named 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 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. 

In October 2024, Richard Thomas was named vice president, Financial Services.

Thomas joined Atmos Energy in June 2013 as director of capital markets and was promoted to vice president and controller in February 2017. Prior to joining Atmos Energy, Richard was a senior manager at Ernst & Young LLP.

Thomas is a graduate of Texas A&M University, where he received a BBA degree in accounting and an 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 the 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 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. 

Jeff Knights was named vice president of pipeline safety on June 1, 2026. In this role, he leads efforts to advance safety, compliance, and operational excellence across the company's pipeline operations.

Previously, Knights served as director of enterprise systems and integrity within the Pipeline Safety organization. Earlier in his career, he was senior vice president of technical and operating services for the Mid-Tex Division.

With more than 34 years of experience at Atmos Energy, Knights has held leadership roles spanning engineering, construction, operations, integrity management, and regulatory compliance. His extensive industry expertise and commitment to safety have strengthened operational performance and supported the company's focus on delivering safe and reliable natural gas service.

Knights earned a Bachelor of Science degree in Surveying Engineering from the University of Maine and an MBA from Southern Methodist University. He is also a licensed Professional Engineer in Texas.

Active in his community, Knights supports several charitable and civic initiatives, including participation in Bike MS, helping raise awareness and funds for multiple sclerosis research and services.