Atlanta Gas Light has a new leader for the second time in less than a year.
Bryan Batson, a veteran of Atlanta Gas Light’s parent company, AGL Resources, was named president on Tuesday. Batson also was named president of Florida City Gas and Chattanooga Gas as well as AGL’s vice president of Southern operations.
His job is to oversee operations at the three natural gas utilities, which have about 1.7 million customers.
Atlanta Gas Light distributes natural gas for the state’s gas marketers. The company also is charged with maintaining the gas pipeline infrastructure and meter reading for the marketers.
Batson started as an engineer at AGL Resources nearly 30 years ago. He has held various jobs, including overseeing governmental and regulatory strategy and setting utility marketing and energy efficiency programs.
“We are fortunate to have Bryan’s leadership in this important role,” said Hank Linginfelter, executive vice president, distribution operations for AGL Resources.
Batson replaces Steven Lindsey, who is leaving the company for the Laclede Group, a natural gas company in St. Louis, according to a company news release.
Lindsey was named Atlanta Gas Light president last December and is the second company president to leave for Laclede in less than 18 months.
After more than 25 years with the company, Suzanne Sitherwood stepped down as president of Atlanta Gas Light in June 2011 to become president of Laclede in September of that year.
She was named the company’s chairwoman and CEO in February 2012 and has now relinquished her position as president to Lindsey.
“I worked directly with Steve for several years at AGL Resources and know that he is a top-notch natural gas operator and a terrific leader,” Sitherwood said in a statement.
AGL Resources is the nation’s largest natural gas-only distribution company. After buying Illinois-based Nicor last December, AGL now has 4.5 million utility customers in seven states.
AGL announced additional changes Tuesday. Scott Carter was named senior vice president of commercial operations; Jim Kibler is now the company’s vice president of external affairs and public policy; and David Weaver was made the company’s vice president of regulatory affairs.
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