Southern Company Gas has announced executive leadership changes, appointing Shannon O. Pierce as senior vice president and president of Virginia Natural Gas, effective September 28, 2024, with plans for her to succeed current CEO Robert Duvall upon his retirement in April 2025. Steven M. Murphy will also take on the role of senior vice president, set to become chief operating officer after Jay Sutton’s retirement the same month. These leadership shifts are part of a long-term succession planning strategy to ensure organizational stability and service excellence as customer needs evolve.
Southern Company Gas has announced significant changes in its executive leadership to support its long-term strategic succession planning. Effective September 28, 2024, Shannon O. Pierce will transition from her role as vice president of strategy and chief administrative officer of Virginia Natural Gas to become the senior vice president of Southern Company Gas and also assume the presidency of Virginia Natural Gas. Robert Duvall, the current president and CEO of Virginia Natural Gas, will retain his CEO position until his retirement on April 1, 2025, at which point Pierce will inherit this role. Furthermore, Steven M. Murphy, who has served as vice president of engineering and construction at Southern Company Gas, has been appointed as senior vice president, effective the same date. He is set to take over as chief operating officer for Southern Company Gas upon the retirement of Executive Vice President Jay Sutton on April 1, 2025. Jim Kerr, the chairman, president, and CEO of Southern Company Gas, expressed gratitude for the leadership of Duvall and Sutton, acknowledging their invaluable contributions over the years. He noted that the new appointments align with the company’s values and its commitment to enhancing service quality as customer needs evolve. Pierce brings 20 years of extensive experience within Southern Company Gas, having excelled in various roles across legal, regulatory, and utility operations. Her notable community involvement includes actively participating in associations such as the Virginia State Bar and the Energy Bar Association Southern Chapter. Murphy boasts over 32 years of experience, overseeing a vast array of engineering and construction projects for the enterprise. He has been instrumental in managing significant budgets and ensuring compliance and system integrity in the various distribution companies operating under Southern Company Gas. As part of Southern Company, which services approximately 4.4 million customers across four states, the leadership transitions argue for a strong future, ensuring the company remains adaptable and robust in a changing energy landscape.
The announcement of executive leadership changes at Southern Company Gas reflects the company’s commitment to strategic succession planning, a critical aspect for organizations aiming to maintain operational stability and effective leadership over time. Succession planning is vital for ensuring that a company can navigate transitions smoothly, especially within the energy sector, where service reliability and customer satisfaction are paramount. This proactive approach in leadership transition aims to fortify the company’s organizational structure and enhance the customers’ experience. The individuals selected for these leadership roles have extensive experience and deep-rooted ties to the community, indicating a stable and experienced stewardship in the coming years.
In summary, Southern Company Gas’s recent executive leadership changes signify a strategic commitment to succession planning aimed at enhancing service quality and organizational stability. The appointments of Shannon O. Pierce and Steven M. Murphy, both of whom possess substantial industry experience, position the company favorably for future challenges and growth. Their leadership is expected to propel Southern Company Gas forward while honoring the legacies of their predecessors. As the energy industry continues to evolve, these transitions will serve to better address the diverse needs of the customer base.
Original Source: www.prnewswire.com
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