UNITED STATES

SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION

Washington, D.C. 20549

 

 

Form 8-K

 

 

Current Report Pursuant to Section 13 or

15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934

September 25, 2008

Date of Report (Date of earliest event reported)

 

 

ATMOS ENERGY CORPORATION

(Exact Name of Registrant as Specified in its Charter)

 

 

 

TEXAS AND VIRGINIA   1-10042   75-1743247

(State or Other Jurisdiction

of Incorporation)

  (Commission File Number)  

(I.R.S. Employer

Identification No.)

 

1800 THREE LINCOLN CENTRE,

5430 LBJ FREEWAY, DALLAS, TEXAS

  75240
(Address of Principal Executive Offices)   (Zip Code)

(972) 934-9227

(Registrant’s Telephone Number, Including Area Code)

Not Applicable

(Former Name or Former Address, if Changed Since Last Report)

 

 

Check the appropriate box below if the Form 8-K filing is intended to simultaneously satisfy the filing obligation of the registrant under any of the following provisions:

 

¨ Written communications pursuant to Rule 425 under the Securities Act (17 CFR 230.425)

 

¨ Soliciting material pursuant to Rule 14a-12 under the Exchange Act (17 CFR 240.14a-12)

 

¨ Pre-commencement communications pursuant to Rule 14d-2(b) under the Exchange Act (17 CFR 240.14d-2(b))

 

¨ Pre-commencement communications pursuant to Rule 13e-4(c) under the Exchange Act (17 CFR 240.13e-4(c))

 

 

 

Item 5.02. Departure of Directors or Certain Officers; Election of Directors: Appointment of Certain Officers; Compensatory Arrangements of Certain Officers.

As reported in its news release issued September 25, 2008, Kim R. Cocklin, currently senior vice president, regulated operations of Atmos Energy Corporation, has been appointed president and chief operating officer of Atmos Energy Corporation, effective October 1, 2008. Robert W. Best, currently chairman, president and chief executive officer of the company, will continue to serve as chairman and chief executive officer. Prior to joining Atmos Energy as senior vice president in June 2006, Mr. Cocklin, 57, was formerly senior vice president, general counsel and chief compliance officer of Piedmont Natural Gas Company from February 2003 through May 2006, where he was responsible for all legal, governmental and community affairs, corporate communications and Sarbanes-Oxley compliance.

Like all other Atmos Energy executive officers, Mr. Cocklin is an “at will” employee of the company and therefore does not have an employment agreement with the company. Beginning October 1, 2008, Mr. Cocklin’s annual salary will increase to $541,080 and he will continue to participate in all other applicable incentive, benefit, change in control and deferred compensation plans offered by the company. In addition, in connection with his appointment, Mr. Cocklin will receive a one-time grant of 50,000 restricted shares of Atmos Energy common stock under its 1998 long-term incentive plan. Restrictions on 25,000 shares of the stock will lapse on October 1, 2009 with the restrictions on the remaining 25,000 shares lapsing on October 1, 2010.

A copy of the news release issued on September 25, 2008 announcing these management changes is filed herewith as Exhibit 99.1.

 

Item 9.01. Financial Statements and Exhibits.

 

  (d) Exhibits.

 

99.1   News Release issued by Atmos Energy Corporation dated September 25, 2008

 

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SIGNATURE

Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, the Registrant has duly caused this report to be signed on its behalf by the undersigned hereunto duly authorized.

 

    ATMOS ENERGY CORPORATION
 

(Registrant)

DATE: September 25, 2008   By:  

/s/ LOUIS P. GREGORY

    Louis P. Gregory
    Senior Vice President and General Counsel

 

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INDEX TO EXHIBITS

 

Exhibit
Number

 

Description

99.1   News Release issued by Atmos Energy Corporation dated September 25, 2008

 

4

Exhibit 99.1

 

LOGO     
     News Release
MEDIA CONTACT:      ANALYSTS CONTACT:
Gerald Hunter (972) 855-3116      Susan Giles (972) 855-3729

Atmos Energy Names Kim R. Cocklin as New

President and Chief Operating Officer

Industry veteran to oversee both regulated and nonregulated operations

DALLAS (September 25, 2008)—Atmos Energy Corporation (NYSE: ATO) today announced it has promoted Kim R. Cocklin to the newly-created position of president and chief operating officer, effective October 1, 2008. In his new role, Mr. Cocklin will oversee all regulated and nonregulated operations of the company and will continue to report to Robert W. Best, who will remain chairman and chief executive officer.

“Succession planning is perhaps the single most important obligation of a company’s management and board of directors,” said Best. “Kim’s promotion is the result of an extensive and deliberate process designed to select the right person to lead our company into the future,” Best stated.

Cocklin joined Atmos Energy on June 1, 2006, and has served as senior vice president, regulated operations since that date. Cocklin came to Atmos Energy from Piedmont Natural Gas Company, where he was senior vice president, general counsel and chief compliance officer. In this role, he was responsible for numerous areas, including all legal, governmental and community affairs, corporate communications and Sarbanes-Oxley compliance. Prior to joining Piedmont, Cocklin was senior vice president of Williams Gas Pipeline, in charge of the operations of Texas Gas and Central Pipelines, where he later oversaw planning, rates and regulatory and business development for all Williams’ pipelines.

“Kim has the vision, experience and leadership skills necessary to ensure continued success in both our regulated and nonregulated businesses,” Best added. “Complementing his business skills is his understanding of our culture and values and with this promotion, all business units will have the benefit of Kim’s skill and leadership.”

Cocklin holds a bachelor of science degree, as well as a master’s degree, from Wichita State University. He earned his J.D. degree from Washburn University School of Law.

“We have a great company,” Cocklin said. “I look forward to the opportunity to work with the board of directors, Bob Best and the rest of management, as we continue to execute the strategy of the company while preserving and nurturing our culture and values.”

About Atmos Energy

Atmos Energy Corporation, headquartered in Dallas, is the country’s largest natural-gas-only distributor, serving about 3.2 million natural gas distribution customers in more than 1,600 communities in 12 states from the Blue Ridge Mountains in the East to the Rocky Mountains in the West. Atmos Energy also provides natural gas marketing and procurement services to industrial, commercial and municipal customers primarily in the Midwest and Southeast and manages company-owned natural gas pipeline and storage assets, including one of the largest intrastate natural gas pipeline systems in Texas. Atmos Energy is a Fortune 500 company. For more information, visit www.atmosenergy.com .