AGA debuts a new award to recognize longstanding success in the gas industry
At this year’s Executive Conference in Chicago, the American Gas Association debuted its AGA Natural Gas Industry Leadership Awards, which were presented to Cheryl Campbell, who recently retired from her role as senior vice president, gas, Xcel Energy, and Anita Romero, who recently retired as senior vice president, staff operations and technology, Southwest Gas.
The new awards recognize executives, directors and managers not in a CEO role who have made a notable commitment to and achievement of success in the natural gas industry. They also highlight those who have led their peers in the pursuit of operational excellence and success in a wide range of AGA programs, along with initiatives critical to the success of their company and the industry.
Kent Larson, executive vice president and group president of operations at Xcel, nominated Campbell, saying she has created “a lasting legacy of success” during her 30-plus years in the industry. In addition to gas-related accomplishments, she also greatly advocated for and mentored employees.
In her more than 25 years at Southwest Gas, Romero pioneered its digital transformation, its distribution integrity management program and its service investigation program, among other initiatives, Eric DeBonis, senior vice president, operations, said in his nomination. Calling her “an exceptional role model,” DeBonis said Romero has left a permanent mark on the utility. —Carolyn Kimmel