Atmos Energy (ATO) names new director and promotes Jeff D. Martinez to SVP role
Rhea-AI Filing Summary
Atmos Energy Corporation reports several governance and leadership changes. James H. Jeffries IV has been elected to the Board of Directors effective September 1, 2026, with his term expiring at the February 3, 2027 annual meeting. In connection with his election, he will receive 1,000 share units that vest and are distributed upon his separation from board service. Jeffries, a longtime energy regulatory attorney, previously advised Atmos as a partner at McGuire Woods LLP, which was paid $422,649 in fiscal 2025 and $346,119 in fiscal 2026 to date for services.
Atmos also discloses management succession in utility operations. John S. McDill, Senior Vice President, Utility Operations, plans to retire in early 2027 and will remain in his role and on the Management Committee until then. The Board has appointed Jeff D. Martinez as Senior Vice President, Utility Operations, effective October 1, 2026. In connection with his promotion, Martinez’s annual base salary will increase from $380,000 to $500,000, and he will continue to participate in Atmos’s annual and long-term incentive plans.
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Filing Explained
For Jeff D. Martinez’s promotion effective October 1, 2026, Atmos discloses no employment agreement or similar material plan, contract, or arrangement; his disclosed compensation change is salary and continued incentive-plan participation.
8-K Event Classification
Key Figures
Key Terms
Management Committee financial
Annual Incentive Plan for Management financial
1998 Long-Term Incentive Plan financial
intrastate natural gas pipeline systems technical
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FAQ
What board change did Atmos Energy (ATO) announce on August 10, 2026?
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UNITED STATES
SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
Washington, D.C. 20549
Form
Current Report
Pursuant to Section 13 or 15(d)
of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934
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Check the appropriate box below if the Form 8-K filing is intended to simultaneously satisfy the filing obligation of the registrant under any of the following provisions:
| Written communications pursuant to Rule 425 under the Securities Act (17 CFR 230.425) |
| Soliciting material pursuant to Rule 14a-12 under the Exchange Act (17 CFR 240.14a-12) |
| Pre-commencement communications pursuant to Rule 14d-2(b) under the Exchange Act (17 CFR 240.14d-2(b)) |
| Pre-commencement communications pursuant to Rule 13e-4(c) under the Exchange Act (17 CFR 240.13e-4(c)) |
Indicate by check mark whether the registrant is an emerging growth company as defined in Rule 405 of the Securities Act of 1933 (§ 230.405 of this chapter) or Rule 12b-2 of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 (§ 240.12b-2 of this chapter).
Emerging Growth Company
If an emerging growth company, indicate by check mark if the registrant has elected not to use the extended transition period for complying with any new or revised financial accounting standards provided pursuant to Section 13(a) of the Exchange Act. ☐
| Item 5.02. | Departure of Directors or Certain Officers; Election of Directors; Appointment of Certain Officers; Compensatory Arrangements of Certain Officers. |
On August 4, 2026, James H. Jeffries IV was elected to the Board of Directors of Atmos Energy Corporation (the “Company”), effective September 1, 2026, with his term expiring at the 2027 annual meeting of shareholders on February 3, 2027. Mr. Jeffries will participate in all applicable compensation and benefit plans offered by the Company to our directors. In connection with his election, on September 1, 2026, Mr. Jeffries will receive 1,000 share units which will vest and be distributed to him upon his separation from service from the Board of Directors. Mr. Jeffries is a partner with the law firm of McGuire Woods LLP and has announced his retirement effective August 31, 2026. In such role, Mr. Jeffries advised the Company with respect to energy and regulatory issues. The Company paid McGuire Woods LLP $422,649 in fiscal 2025 and $346,119 in fiscal 2026 to date for these services.
On August 10, 2026, the Company announced that John S. McDill, currently Senior Vice President, Utility Operations, notified the Company on August 4, 2026, that he will retire in early 2027 after a distinguished career with the Company. He will continue to serve in his current role and on the Company’s Management Committee until his retirement.
On August 4, 2026, the Company’s Board of Directors appointed Mr. McDill’s successor, Jeff D. Martinez, to the position of Senior Vice President, Utility Operations, effective October 1, 2026. In this role, Mr. Martinez will join the Company’s Management Committee, reporting to Kevin Akers, President and Chief Executive Officer. Mr. Martinez, 57, has served as President of the Mid-Tex Division since December 2023. Prior to that, he served in several other management positions, including President of Atmos Pipeline – Texas from 2021 to 2023, Vice President, Customer Service from 2018 to 2021, and Vice President of Operations in the Mid-Tex Division from 2012 to 2018. The Company is not a party to any employment agreement or similar material plan, contract, or arrangement with Mr. Martinez. Effective October 1, 2026, in connection with his promotion, Mr. Martinez will receive an increase in annual base salary from $380,000 to $500,000, and he will continue to participate in all applicable incentive plans offered by the Company including the Company’s Annual Incentive Plan for Management (as amended) and the Company’s 1998 Long-Term Incentive Plan (as amended).
| Item 7.01. | Regulation FD Disclosures. |
On August 10, 2026, the Company issued a news release announcing the election of Mr. Jeffries. A copy of the news release is furnished as Exhibit 99.1.
On August 10, 2026, the Company issued a news release announcing the retirement of Mr. McDill and the appointment of Mr. Martinez. A copy of the news release is furnished as Exhibit 99.2.
The information furnished in this Item 7.01 (including Exhibits 99.1 and 99.2) shall not be deemed to be “filed” for purposes of Section 18 of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 or otherwise subject to the liabilities of that section, nor shall such information be deemed to be incorporated by reference into any of the Company’s filings under the Securities Act of 1933 or the Securities Exchange Act of 1934.
| Item 9.01. | Financial Statements and Exhibits. |
(d) Exhibits
| Exhibit |
Description | |
| 99.1 | News Release dated August 10, 2026 | |
| 99.2 | News Release dated August 10, 2026 | |
| 104 | Cover Page Interactive Data File - the cover page interactive data file does not appear in the interactive data file because its XBRL tags are embedded within the Inline XBRL document | |
SIGNATURE
Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, the Registrant has duly caused this report to be signed on its behalf by the undersigned hereunto duly authorized.
| ATMOS ENERGY CORPORATION | ||||||
| (Registrant) | ||||||
| DATE: August 10, 2026 | By: | /s/ JESSICA W. BATEMAN | ||||
| Jessica W. Bateman | ||||||
| Senior Vice President, General Counsel and | ||||||
| Corporate Secretary | ||||||
Exhibit 99.1
News Release
Analyst and Media Contact:
Dan Meziere
(972) 855-3729
Atmos Energy Corporation Names
James H. Jeffries IV to Board of Directors
DALLAS (August 10, 2026) - Atmos Energy Corporation (NYSE: ATO) announced today that James H. Jeffries IV has been elected to its board of directors, effective September 1, 2026.
Mr. Jeffries has been a partner with the law firm of McGuire Woods LLP for 8 years and has announced his retirement effective August 31, 2026. He has more than three decades of experience advising public and private companies in the natural gas utility sector.
“Jim is an excellent addition to our board. Because of his extensive experience in advising the natural gas utility sector as well as general business and strategic planning, he will be a significant asset to our board,” said Kim R. Cocklin, Chairman of the Board of Atmos Energy.
About Atmos Energy
Atmos Energy Corporation, a natural gas-only distributor, is an S&P 500 company headquartered in Dallas. We safely deliver reliable, efficient, and abundant natural gas to approximately 3.4 million distribution customers in over 1,400 communities across eight states located primarily in the South. As part of our vision to be the safest provider of natural gas services, we are modernizing our business and infrastructure while continuing to invest in safety, innovation, environmental sustainability, and our communities. Atmos Energy manages proprietary pipeline and storage assets, including one of the largest intrastate natural gas pipeline systems in Texas. Find us online at http://www.atmosenergy.com, Facebook, Twitter, Instagram and YouTube.
Exhibit 99.2
News Release
Analyst and Media Contact:
Dan Meziere
(972) 855-3729
Atmos Energy Corporation Announces Retirement of John S. McDill and
Appointment of Jeff D. Martinez to Senior Vice President, Utility Operations
DALLAS (August 10, 2026) - Atmos Energy Corporation (NYSE: ATO) announced today that John S. McDill, currently Senior Vice President, Utility Operations, will retire in early 2027 after a distinguished career with the Company. He will serve in his current role and on the company’s Management Committee until his retirement.
Mr. McDill joined Atmos Energy in 2002 and assumed his current role in October 2021. “John has held key leadership positions across the company throughout his career and will leave a lasting positive influence upon Atmos Energy. We are greatly appreciative for John’s dedication and contributions to Atmos Energy, our employees, customers, communities, and the natural gas industry,” said Kevin Akers, President and Chief Executive Officer.
The Company’s Board of Directors has appointed Jeff D. Martinez to the position of Senior Vice President, Utility Operations, effective October 1, 2026. In his new role, Mr. Martinez will join the company’s Management Committee, reporting to Kevin Akers, President and Chief Executive Officer.
Mr. Martinez has served as President of the Mid-Tex Division since December 2023. Prior to that, he served in several other management positions, including President of Atmos Pipeline – Texas, Vice President, Customer Service Organization, and Vice President of Operations in the Mid-Tex Division.
“Jeff and John have worked closely together in various roles throughout their careers and will continue to do so for a smooth transition,” said Akers.
About Atmos Energy
Atmos Energy Corporation, a natural gas-only distributor, is an S&P 500 company headquartered in Dallas. We safely deliver reliable, efficient, and abundant natural gas to approximately 3.4 million distribution customers in over 1,400 communities across eight states located primarily in the South. As part of our vision to be the safest provider of natural gas services, we are modernizing our business and infrastructure while continuing to invest in safety, innovation, environmental sustainability, and our communities. Atmos Energy manages proprietary pipeline and storage assets, including one of the largest intrastate natural gas pipeline systems in Texas. Find us online at http://www.atmosenergy.com, Facebook, Twitter, Instagram and YouTube.