AGA Names 2027 Board Chair and Honors Natural Gas Industry Leaders
The American Gas Association celebrated leadership across the natural gas industry at its 2026 Executive Conference in Dallas, announcing its 2027 board chair and honoring the recipients of the Distinguished Service Award and Natural Gas Industry Leadership Awards.
Blue Jenkins Elected 2027 AGA Board Chair
Blue Jenkins, president and chief executive officer of South Jersey Industries, was elected by the AGA board of directors to serve as its 2027 chair. A natural gas industry veteran with nearly 30 years of experience, Jenkins previously held leadership roles at BP, EQT Corporation and Washington Gas.
Joining Jenkins as AGA board officers are:
- First Vice Chair: Jim Kerr Chairman, President & CEO, Southern Company Gas (Atlanta, GA)
- Immediate Past Chair: Robert “Sid” McAnnally, CEO, ONE Gas, Inc. (Tulsa, OK)
AGA Recognizes Distinguished Industry Leaders
Distinguished Service Award
The Distinguished Service Award, AGA’s highest honor, recognizes C-suite and executive-level professionals for their contributions to the natural gas industry.
AGA presented the Distinguished Service Award to Henry “Hank” Linginfelter in recognition of more than 30 years of outstanding service and leadership in the natural gas industry. Before retiring in 2019, Linginfelter served as executive vice president of Southern Company Gas. He currently serves on the board of directors of Southwest Gas Holdings, Inc.
Natural Gas Industry Leadership Awards
AGA’s Natural Gas Industry Leadership Award honors individuals who demonstrate notable achievement and leadership among their peers in the pursuit of operational excellence. This year, AGA recognized two distinguished industry leaders:
- Donna DeCarolis, Senior Energy Policy Advisor & Former President, National Fuel Gas Distribution Corporation
- Ross Turrini, Chief Operating Officer, Southern California Gas Co.
DeCarolis and Turrini each bring decades of experience to the natural gas industry and have played pivotal roles in advancing operations at their respective companies. Through positions spanning the industry, including executive leadership roles, they continue to make meaningful contributions to the communities and customers they serve.
AGA congratulates Blue, Hank, Donna and Ross and thanks them for their leadership, service and lasting contributions to the natural gas industry.
Learn more about the board chair election and award recipients:
AGA announces Blue Jenkins as next board chair
AGA Announces Recipients of 2026 Distinguished Service and Natural Gas Industry Leadership Awards