Southern Company Gas Announces Executive Leadership Changes as Part of Company's Long-Term, Strategic Succession Planning
Rhea-AI Summary
Southern Company Gas has announced executive leadership changes as part of its strategic succession planning. Shannon O. Pierce has been appointed senior vice president of Southern Company Gas and president of Virginia Natural Gas, effective September 28. She will assume the role of CEO upon Robert Duvall's retirement on April 1, 2025. Steven M. Murphy has been appointed senior vice president of Southern Company Gas, effective September 28, and will become chief operating officer upon Jay Sutton's retirement on April 1, 2025.
Pierce brings 20 years of experience within Southern Company Gas, while Murphy has over 32 years of company experience. These appointments align with the company's focus on building the future of energy and providing best-in-class service to customers. The transitions are designed to strategically position Southern Company Gas and its subsidiaries to enhance customer value and service quality.
Positive
- Strategic succession planning implemented for key leadership positions
- Appointment of experienced internal candidates to senior roles
- Smooth transition period with retiring executives continuing until April 2025
- New leaders bring extensive experience in legal, regulatory, engineering, and operations
Negative
- None.
News Market Reaction – SO
In the trading session that priced this news, SO declined 0.45%, reflecting a mild negative market reaction.
Data tracked by StockTitan Argus on the day of publication.
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Shannon O. Pierce and Steven M. Murphy appointed to senior vice president roles for Southern Company Gas; Pierce also appointed president of Virginia Natural Gas
Shannon O. Pierce, vice president of strategy and chief administrative officer for the company's Virginia Natural Gas subsidiary, has been appointed senior vice president of Southern Company Gas and president of Virginia Natural Gas, effective September 28. Robert Duvall, current president and chief executive officer of Virginia Natural Gas, will continue to serve as CEO until his retirement on April 1, 2025. Pierce will assume the role of CEO upon Duvall's retirement.
Steven M. Murphy, vice president of engineering and construction for Southern Company Gas, has been appointed senior vice president of Southern Company Gas, effective September 28. Murphy will assume the role of chief operating officer for Southern Company Gas upon the retirement of current Executive Vice President and Chief Operating Officer Jay Sutton on April 1, 2025.
"We are incredibly grateful for Robert and Jay's leadership and significant contributions to our company, customers and communities over decades of service and continuing into next year," said Jim Kerr, Southern Company Gas chairman, president and chief executive officer. "Shannon and Steve bring extensive and unique leadership experiences into their new roles, which align with the company's values and will help to build on Robert and Jay's legacies of success. As our customers' needs continue to grow and evolve, these transitions will strategically position Southern Company Gas, Virginia Natural Gas and our other subsidiaries to enhance the value and quality of service our customers expect and deserve."
Pierce has 20 years of experience within Southern Company Gas, serving in leadership roles with increasing responsibility in legal, regulatory and external affairs, and commercial and utility operations. In her current role, Pierce serves as a strategic advisor to the president and CEO, leading the development of growth and external affairs strategies and overseeing financial performance and planning for Virgina Natural Gas, which delivers natural gas service to more than 310,000 customers in southeastern
A leader closely engaged in communities throughout
Pierce received both her undergraduate and law degrees from the University of
With a focus on engineering and operations, Murphy has more than 32 years of company experience. In his current role, Murphy is responsible for all aspects of engineering, construction and project management for the Southern Company Gas enterprise, including storage assets and new pipeline and related infrastructure for the company's four distribution companies: Atlanta Gas Light, Chattanooga Gas, Nicor Gas and Virginia Natural Gas, where he oversees an annual capital budget of more than
Murphy has held numerous leadership positions since joining Southern Company Gas in 1992, including managing director of operations services and managing director of engineering management. In this position, he directed design engineering for Southern Company Gas' distribution companies, geographic information system support services, compliance and system integrity, and the Office of Corporate Engineering.
Murphy currently serves on the board of directors of Southern Natural Gas, a 7,000-mile natural gas pipeline system supplying one of the fastest-growing natural gas demand regions in
Murphy earned a civil engineering degree from the Georgia Institute of Technology and a master's degree in business administration from Georgia State University. He is certified by the National Society of Professional Engineers and has completed the Northwestern University Kellogg School of Management Executive Development Program.
About Southern Company Gas
Southern Company Gas is a wholly owned subsidiary of
About Virginia Natural Gas
Virginia Natural Gas is one of four natural gas distribution companies under Southern Company Gas, a wholly owned subsidiary of Southern Company (NYSE: SO). Serving over 310,000 customers in southeast
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SOURCE Southern Company