COMMUNICATIONS & MARKETING AWARD

This award recognizes APGA public gas system members who have worked hard over the past year to 
communicate to their customers and market natural gas in their communities. Congratulations to... 

• 1st Place: City of Dublin, GA and City of Eatonton, GA;
• 2nd Place: City of Sugar Hill, GA; & 
• 3rd Place: West Tennessee Public Utility District, TN

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COMMUNITY SERVICE AWARD

The award recognizes is an APGA public gas system member on an annual basis in recognition of the accomplishments of the gas system and its employees to improving and enhancing the quality of life of the community it serves.

Congratulations to... Knoxville Utilities Board, TN

DISTINGUISHED SERVICE AWARD

This award is given to individuals who have gone above and beyond the call of duty for APGA, their community and the natural gas industry, and have a long record of such commitment.

Congratulations to... Kathy Garcia, CPS Energy, TX


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EXCELLENCE IN ENVIRONMENTAL STEWARDSHIP AWARD

This award recognizes an APGA public gas system member that demonstrates excellence in their commitment to environmental stewardship.

Congratulations to... Huntsville Utilities, AL

HARRY M. COOKE PERSONAL SERVICE AWARD

This award is given to individuals who have made substantial contributions toward the goals of APGA and the natural gas industry, and who are employees of an APGA associate or joint action agency member.

Congratulations to... Hayden Strickland, Magnolia River Services

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J. HARDIE JOHNSTON SERVICE AWARD

This recognition is given to individuals who are retiring after serving at least 25 years in the natural gas industry and have been active as an APGA public gas system member representative.

Congratulations to... 

• Terryn Adams, York County Natural Gas Authority, Rock Hill, SC
• Arthur Corbin, Municipal Gas Authority of Georgia, Kennesaw, GA
• Anthony Miller, Greenville Utilities Commission, NC
• Randy Russom, Gibson County Utility District, Newport, TN
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NEXT GENERATION EMPLOYEE ACHIEVEMENT AWARD

This award recognizes an individual under 35 years or younger and has made substantial contributions toward the goals of their utility, APGA, and the natural gas industry.  

Congratulations to...  Hannah Smith, York County Natural Gas Authority, SC

PERSONAL ACHIEVEMENT AWARD

This award is given to individuals who have made substantial contributions toward the goals of APGA and the natural gas industry, and who are employees of an APGA public gas system member.

Congratulations to... Mike Enoch, York County Natural Gas Authority, SC

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PUBLIC GAS SYSTEM GOOD SAMARITAN AWARD

The recipient of this award will recognize an employee(s) from an APGA member public gas system whose service to the community goes above and beyond their job duties by positively impacting lives during an emergency.

Congratulations to... Luke Peterson, Hibbing Public Utilities Commission, MN

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APGA RESEARCH FOUNDATION DISTINGUISHED SERVICE AWARD

This award is in recognition of outstanding public service, devotion to duty, contribution to the natural gas industry, and exemplifying the highest ideals in the promotion and administration of natural gas research, development, and commercialization among and for publicly owned natural gas systems

Congratulations to... Gordon King, Okaloosa Gas, FL

SAFETY MANAGEMENT EXCELLENCE AWARD

This award is given to an APGA member system that consistently operates at the highest safety levels, clearly establishing the system as an achiever of excellence in the field of Safety Management.

Congratulations to... Knoxville Utilities Board, TN

2025 SOAR WINNERS

SOAR applicants are awarded a rating based on a total cumulative score of points achieved from criteria in the areas of system integrity, system improvement, employee safety, and workforce development. There are three SOAR recognition levels: Bronze (80-89% of possible points), Silver (90-96% of possible points), and Gold (97-100% of possible points). SOAR status continues for three years. Congratulations to…

Gold

• Jackson Energy Authority, TN

Silver

• Citizens Energy Group, IN
• City of Mesa, AZ
• City Utilities of Springfield, MO
• Fountain Inn Natural Gas, SC
• Gibson County Utility District, TN
• Owatonna Public Utilities, MN
• Riviera Utilities, AL
• Scottsboro Water, Sewer & Gas Board, AL

Bronze

• City of Las Cruces, NM
• Colorado Springs Utilities, CO
• CPS Energy, TX
• Elk River Public Utility District, TN
• Hartselle Utilities, AL
• Lancaster County Natural Gas Authority, SC
• Laurens Commission of Public Works, SC

SAFETY CONTEST AWARD WINNERS

Congratulations to all 40 winners of the 2025 APGA Safety Contest! These gas systems highlight the dedication of APGA members in maintaining the highest safety standards within their system, their communities, and in the natural gas industry.

Among the winning systems, City of Vernon Public Utilities, CA, Midwest Energy Inc., KS, Owatonna Public Utilities, MN, City of Wilson - Wilson Energy, NC, and City of Boerne Utilities, TX, will be receiving an award for meeting the criteria to win the safety contest five years in a row. The City of Tallahassee Gas Utility, FL, will be receiving an award for meeting the criteria 10 years in a row. Lake Apopka Natural Gas District, FL, will be receiving an award for meeting the criteria 15 years in a row. These are remarkable achievements and serve the entire industry by exemplifying what it means to set and maintain high performance and safety standards. Congratulations to…