Atmos Energy Announces Leadership Transition as John McDill Plans Retirement and Jeff Martinez Named Utility Operations SVP
Atmos Energy Corporation (NYSE: ATO) has announced an upcoming leadership transition within its utility operations organization, with longtime executive John S. McDill planning to retire in early 2027 and Jeff D. Martinez appointed to succeed him as Senior Vice President, Utility Operations.
The leadership change represents a planned succession process designed to maintain continuity across Atmos Energy’s utility operations while positioning the company for continued growth, operational performance and customer service. Martinez will assume the Senior Vice President, Utility Operations position effective October 1, 2026, while McDill will remain in his current role and continue serving on the company’s Management Committee until his retirement.
McDill has been a member of the Atmos Energy organization since 2002 and has held a number of leadership positions during his more than two decades with the company. He assumed the role of Senior Vice President, Utility Operations in October 2021, taking responsibility for a critical area of the company’s business as Atmos Energy continued to focus on the safe and reliable delivery of natural gas to residential, commercial and industrial customers.
During his tenure, McDill has contributed to the company’s operational strategy and worked with teams across the organization to support safe system operations, customer service and the continued development of Atmos Energy’s utility infrastructure. His retirement will mark the conclusion of a long career with the company, but he will continue working in his current capacity through his departure in early 2027.
“John has held key leadership positions across the company throughout his career and will leave a lasting positive influence upon Atmos Energy,” said Kevin Akers, President and Chief Executive Officer of Atmos Energy. “We are greatly appreciative for John’s dedication and contributions to Atmos Energy, our employees, customers, communities, and the natural gas industry.”
The company said McDill’s experience and leadership have played an important role in Atmos Energy’s operations and broader business development. His work has spanned multiple areas of the organization, giving him extensive knowledge of the company’s operating model and the needs of its customers and communities.
As Atmos Energy prepares for McDill’s retirement, the company has selected Martinez to take over the utility operations leadership role. The appointment will become effective October 1, 2026, giving the incoming executive an opportunity to work closely with McDill during the transition period.
Martinez currently serves as President of Atmos Energy’s Mid-Tex Division, a position he has held since December 2023. In that role, he has been responsible for leading operations within one of the company’s key service areas and supporting the division’s efforts to provide safe, reliable and efficient natural gas service to customers.
Before becoming President of the Mid-Tex Division, Martinez held several management positions at Atmos Energy. His previous responsibilities included serving as President of Atmos Pipeline – Texas, Vice President of the Customer Service Organization and Vice President of Operations in the Mid-Tex Division.
The range of roles Martinez has held throughout his career has provided him with experience in utility operations, customer service, pipeline activities and organizational leadership. That combination of operational and customer-focused experience is expected to support his responsibilities as Senior Vice President, Utility Operations.
In his new position, Martinez will join Atmos Energy’s Management Committee and report directly to Akers, the company’s President and Chief Executive Officer. His responsibilities will include providing leadership across the company’s utility operations as Atmos Energy continues to focus on safety, reliability, infrastructure investment and customer service.
The appointment also reflects Atmos Energy’s emphasis on internal leadership development and succession planning. Martinez has progressed through a series of leadership roles within the company, allowing him to build a broad understanding of Atmos Energy’s operations and business priorities.
A key element of the transition will be the continued collaboration between McDill and Martinez. According to Akers, the two executives have worked closely together in different positions during their careers, providing a strong foundation for a smooth transfer of responsibilities.
“Jeff and John have worked closely together in various roles throughout their careers and will continue to do so for a smooth transition,” Akers said.
The overlap between the two executives is expected to help preserve operational knowledge and provide continuity for employees, customers and other stakeholders. It also gives Martinez the opportunity to benefit from McDill’s extensive experience before McDill completes his tenure with the company.
For Atmos Energy, the leadership transition comes as the natural gas utility industry continues to evolve. Utilities are facing growing expectations around infrastructure modernization, system reliability, operational efficiency, safety and customer service. Maintaining experienced leadership across utility operations is therefore an important component of long-term business planning.
Atmos Energy operates one of the largest natural gas distribution systems in the United States. The company has continued to invest in its infrastructure with a focus on improving safety and reliability while meeting the energy needs of the communities it serves. Utility operations leadership plays a central role in managing these activities and ensuring that investments translate into dependable service for customers.
McDill’s planned retirement will close an extended chapter of service with Atmos Energy. Since joining the company in 2002, he has taken on increasingly senior responsibilities and contributed to the organization through multiple stages of its development. His decision to remain in his current role and on the Management Committee until early 2027 is intended to support continuity and an orderly transition.
Martinez, meanwhile, will begin preparing for his expanded responsibilities ahead of formally assuming the Senior Vice President, Utility Operations position on October 1, 2026. His experience in both operational and customer-facing leadership roles is expected to provide a strong foundation for the position.
The company’s decision to announce the transition well ahead of McDill’s retirement also provides employees and stakeholders with clarity regarding the future leadership structure. It allows the organization to prepare for the change while maintaining focus on day-to-day operations and long-term priorities.
As the transition progresses, McDill and Martinez will continue working together to ensure that key responsibilities, operational knowledge and organizational priorities are effectively transferred. Atmos Energy expects the process to support stability while enabling Martinez to assume leadership of utility operations with a clear understanding of the company’s current activities and future objectives.
With McDill remaining in his role through early 2027 and Martinez taking over as Senior Vice President, Utility Operations in October 2026, Atmos Energy is establishing a transition period that combines experienced leadership with a new generation of executive oversight. The company expects the approach to help maintain momentum across its operations while continuing to prioritize safety, reliability, customer service and the long-term needs of the communities it serves.
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