Atmos Energy Corporation announced that its Board of Directors has appointed Kevin Akers, currently Executive Vice President, to become President and Chief Executive Officer of Atmos Energy and a member of the Board effective October 1, 2019. Haefner has announced his intention to step down from his positions as President and Chief Executive Officer effective September 30, 2019 to focus on a recent health issue. He will retire January 1, 2020 from the Company and the Board.

Kim R. Cocklin, formerly CEO of Atmos Energy, will continue as Executive Chairman of the Board. The Board has long planned for this succession. Akers, formerly President of both the company's Kentucky/Mid-States and Mississippi Divisions, was promoted to Senior Vice President of Safety and Enterprise Services and member of Management Committee effective January 1, 2017.

In this role, Akers assumed responsibility for Pipeline Safety, Customer Service, Supply Chain Management, Facilities and Business Process & Change Management. When next promoted to Executive Vice President in November 2018, Akers assumed additional responsibilities over the company's pipeline and storage operations.