Member Spotlight: Atmos Energy
The Plano Chamber membership team is thrilled to present our NEW monthly Member Spotlights! Each month, we will be highlighting different Plano Chamber of Commerce members to continue connecting our members with each other and the Plano community at large.
The Plano Chamber would like to welcome and spotlight one of our Top Investors, Atmos Energy. Heather Wagemann, our Membership Engagement Manager, asked Atmos Energy’s Manager of Public Affairs, Jan Rugg, a few questions about their business, membership, and their role in the community.
1. What would you like readers to know about Atmos Energy and what you specialize in?
Atmos Energy Corporation, an S&P 500 company headquartered in Dallas, is the country’s largest natural gas-only distributor. We safely deliver reliable, affordable, efficient, and abundant natural gas to more than 3 million distribution customers in over 1,400 communities across eight states located primarily in the South. As part of our vision to be the safest provider of natural gas services, we are modernizing our business and infrastructure while continuing to invest in safety, innovation, environmental sustainability, and our communities. Atmos Energy manages proprietary pipeline and storage assets, including one of the largest intrastate natural gas pipeline systems in Texas. Find us on Facebook, Twitter, Instagram and YouTube.
2. How has being an active member of the Plano Chamber of Commerce impacted your professional development/career?
Membership in the Plano Chamber of Commerce has provided me the opportunity to meet and develop relationships with local leaders (business and governmental) who work daily to make Plano a growing and vibrant city. I utilize these relationships daily, when business works together, we create outcomes that are wins not only for our business but for Plano as a whole.
Additionally, being part of Leadership Plano was instrumental in providing me a strong friend group, professional network, and a knowledge of the City I now call home.
3. Tell us about your involvement in the community.
An integral part of my workday is community involvement. Through Atmos Energy’s Fueling Safe and Thriving Communities initiatives we fund sponsorships to organizations that provide programing in areas such as, childhood literacy, childhood nutrition as it supports learning and the arts as an important part of a child’s education. Whether funding sponsorships to organizations such as PISD EF, North Texas Food Bank or the Assistance Center of Collin Co, Atmos Energy strongly invests in the Plano community.
4. What piece of advice would you give to our newest members?
Come to events!
Be willing to meet someone new!
Recognize that meeting a new member is important to those of us who have been part of the Chamber for some time.
When I was new to this role someone told me “If you work the Chamber the Chamber will work for you”. I didn’t understand it then, but I do now!
5. Last but certainly not least, can you educate our members in April being recognized as “National Safe Digging Month”. What do our members need to know about safe digging and what is Atmos Energy doing to recognize this month?
April is National Safe Digging Month. Atmos Energy reminds residents to call 811 at least three days before you want to dig.
811 is the national call-before-you-dig phone number, and it is a free and easy service that is required by law. Anyone who plans to dig should call 811 or go to their state 811 center’s website before digging to request that the approximate location of buried utilities be marked with paint or flags so that you do not unintentionally strike an underground utility line.
When calling 811, be prepared to confirm the address of your digging project, including the county and nearest cross street, as well as the type of project you are completing and the exact area on the property where you plan to dig. Whether you call 811 or make your request online, you will need the same info.
