AWARDS OF MERIT The individuals listed have earned AGA Awards of Merit for their active and continuous service to the AGA Operating Sec- tion through participation on technical committees, as well as leadership on AGA events. The awards are based in a cumula- tive point system. Platinum Award of Merit (100 points) Donald L. Reynolds, Jr., NiSource Inc Gold Award of Merit (75 points) Brian W. Moidel, Dominion East Ohio Henry W. Poellnitz, III, El Paso Pipeline Group Kevin L. Ritz, Baltimore Gas and Electric Co. Silver Award of Merit (50 points) Ardis A. Bartle, APEX Measurement & Controls LLC Mary E. Casey, National Grid Charles F. Dippo, PE, South Jersey Gas Co. Angela M. Floyd, ConocoPhillips John W. Heer, CenterPoint Energy John P. Hoch, Standby Systems, Inc. Michael B. Hoffer, Duke Energy Corp. David S. Jordan, Continental Industries, Inc. Richard A. Kottemann, Jr., Laclede Gas Co. Dannie R. Mercer, Atmos Energy Corp. Stephen F. Nowaczewski, TransCanada Corp. Mark J. Pelkey, National Fuel Gas Supply Corp. Jerome T. Schmitz, Southwest Gas Corp. John D. Shelton, NiSource Inc. Bronze Award of Merit (25 points) Lawrence D. Alspaugh, T.D. Williamson, Inc. C. Earl Anderson, National Grid Hans G. Bell, PE, AGL Resources Bill Bishop, DTE Energy - MichCon Craig A. Brownlee, Oklahoma Natural Gas Frank T. DiPalma, Jacobs Consultancy George R. Dowdy, Laclede Gas Co. Morris G. Faircloth, Atmos Energy Corp. Alicia M. Farag, Gas Technology Institute Raymond W. Graham, Vectren Corp. Lisa Hamilton, New Jersey Natural Gas Co. Andrew S. Hammerschmidt, Gas Technology Institute John R. Hand, Spectra Energy Corp. Richard H. Hauter, New Jersey Natural Gas Co. Duane Henderson, Puget Sound Energy Larry J. Jenkins, Panhandle Energy John A. Kasinski, National Fuel Gas Distribution Corp. Don Kopczynski, Avista Corp. Les H. LeJeune, Entergy Gas Distribution Fred J. Maly, Laclede Gas Co. Wade M. Mattar, Invensys/Foxboro Gary McCargar, ONEOK, Inc. David J. McCarthy, Southern California Gas Co. Troy Paige, PE, Atmos Energy Corp. Frank T. Petroski, Jr., Southern Cross Corp. Lloyd A. Pirtle, T.D. Williamson, Inc. Lance L. Rainge, Integrys Energy Group David L. Robison, PE, Elster Perfection George K. Roland, Pacific Gas and Electric Co. Matthew Rowan, DTE Energy - MichCon Daniel J. Rudroff, WFMS, Inc. Margaret H. Sanfilippo, Distrigas of Massachusetts LLC J. Byron Smith, CenterPoint Energy Awards AWARDS LISTING GUIDE Awards of Merit ................................ 4 Gild of Ancient Supplers Award................................. 2 John B. McGowan, Sr Memorial Award ............................... 2 Industry Leader Accident Prevention Award............................. 3 Meritorious Service Award............ 1 Milton W. Heath, Sr. Memorial Award ............................... 2 Safety Achievement Awards ......... 3 MERITORIOUS SERVICE AWARD The Meritorious Service Award, sponsored by Consolidated Edison Company of New York, is awarded annually to the "individual who has performed the most meritorious act in the gas industry in saving a human life during the prior calendar year." This year, AGA is proud to honor Melissa Landreth, Tony McMillin and Margaret Melko of Consumers Energy. On July 6 last year, the trio rescued a co-worker from certain death. On that evening, gas field leader Tony McMillin, gas lines worker Jane Melko and gas service worker Melissa Landreth saved the life of co-worker Dave DiDonato, a trenching machine operator overcome by gas fumes. The employees were repairing a residential natural gas service line. As the stent on the nearby curb box was badly bent and the “T” was under a large tree, they decided to make the repair “live.” It was a routine job, except that day something went wrong. DiDonato was loosening the fitting when it blew off and gas spewed out. DiDonato inserted an expansion plug into the pipe and started to turn the wing nut to shut off the gas when he slumped over. His co-workers quickly pulled him out of the hole. When they didn’t detect a pulse or breathing, they called 911 and began CPR until DiDonato started coughing. The first-aid and CPR training they had at the company helped them save DiDonato's life. “We’re proud of these three employees and all our employees, who watch out for each other and focus on safety 24/7," said Dan Malone, senior vice president of distribution and customer operations. "We rely on judgment and a timely response in everything we do." The AWARDS REVIEW high- lights industry‐specific awards and recognizes individuals who have made major contributions to the natural gas industry. The awardees receive their awards at AGA’s Annual Operations Conference. The selection process is based on criteria involving professional and personal commitment and dedication to improving the operations and engineering sectors of the natural gas industry through safety, acci- dent prevention, research,
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AWARDS OF MERIT
The individuals listed have earned AGA Awards of Merit for
their active and continuous service to the AGA Operating Sec-
tion through participation on technical committees, as well as
leadership on AGA events. The awards are based in a cumula-
tive point system.
Platinum Award of Merit (100 points)
Donald L. Reynolds, Jr., NiSource Inc
Gold Award of Merit (75 points)
Brian W. Moidel, Dominion East Ohio
Henry W. Poellnitz, III, El Paso Pipeline Group
Kevin L. Ritz, Baltimore Gas and Electric Co.
Silver Award of Merit (50 points)
Ardis A. Bartle, APEX Measurement & Controls LLC
Mary E. Casey, National Grid
Charles F. Dippo, PE, South Jersey Gas Co.
Angela M. Floyd, ConocoPhillips
John W. Heer, CenterPoint Energy
John P. Hoch, Standby Systems, Inc.
Michael B. Hoffer, Duke Energy Corp.
David S. Jordan, Continental Industries, Inc.
Richard A. Kottemann, Jr., Laclede Gas Co.
Dannie R. Mercer, Atmos Energy Corp.
Stephen F. Nowaczewski, TransCanada Corp.
Mark J. Pelkey, National Fuel Gas Supply Corp.
Jerome T. Schmitz, Southwest Gas Corp.
John D. Shelton, NiSource Inc.
Bronze Award of Merit (25 points)
Lawrence D. Alspaugh, T.D. Williamson, Inc.
C. Earl Anderson, National Grid
Hans G. Bell, PE, AGL Resources
Bill Bishop, DTE Energy - MichCon
Craig A. Brownlee, Oklahoma Natural Gas
Frank T. DiPalma, Jacobs Consultancy
George R. Dowdy, Laclede Gas Co.
Morris G. Faircloth, Atmos Energy Corp.
Alicia M. Farag, Gas Technology Institute
Raymond W. Graham, Vectren Corp.
Lisa Hamilton, New Jersey Natural Gas Co.
Andrew S. Hammerschmidt, Gas Technology Institute
John R. Hand, Spectra Energy Corp.
Richard H. Hauter, New Jersey Natural Gas Co.
Duane Henderson, Puget Sound Energy
Larry J. Jenkins, Panhandle Energy
John A. Kasinski, National Fuel Gas Distribution Corp.
Don Kopczynski, Avista Corp.
Les H. LeJeune, Entergy Gas Distribution
Fred J. Maly, Laclede Gas Co.
Wade M. Mattar, Invensys/Foxboro
Gary McCargar, ONEOK, Inc.
David J. McCarthy, Southern California Gas Co.
Troy Paige, PE, Atmos Energy Corp.
Frank T. Petroski, Jr., Southern Cross Corp.
Lloyd A. Pirtle, T.D. Williamson, Inc.
Lance L. Rainge, Integrys Energy Group
David L. Robison, PE, Elster Perfection
George K. Roland, Pacific Gas and Electric Co.
Matthew Rowan, DTE Energy - MichCon
Daniel J. Rudroff, WFMS, Inc.
Margaret H. Sanfilippo, Distrigas of Massachusetts LLC
J. Byron Smith, CenterPoint Energy
Awards
AWARDS LISTING GUIDE
Awards of Merit ................................ 4
Gild of Ancient
Supplers Award ................................. 2
John B. McGowan, Sr
Memorial Award ............................... 2
Industry Leader Accident
Prevention Award ............................. 3
Meritorious Service Award ............ 1
Milton W. Heath, Sr.
Memorial Award ............................... 2
Safety Achievement Awards ......... 3
MERITORIOUS SERVICE AWARD The Meritorious Service Award, sponsored by Consolidated Edison Company of New York, is
awarded annually to the "individual who has performed the most meritorious act in the gas
industry in saving a human life during the prior calendar year."
This year, AGA is proud to honor Melissa Landreth, Tony McMillin and Margaret Melko of
Consumers Energy.
On July 6 last year, the trio rescued a co-worker from certain death.
On that evening, gas field leader Tony McMillin, gas lines worker Jane Melko and gas service
worker Melissa Landreth saved the life of co-worker Dave DiDonato, a trenching machine
operator overcome by gas fumes.
The employees were repairing a residential natural gas service line. As the stent on the
nearby curb box was badly bent and the “T” was under a large tree, they decided to make
the repair “live.” It was a routine job, except that day something went wrong. DiDonato was
loosening the fitting when it blew off and gas spewed out. DiDonato inserted an expansion
plug into the pipe and started to turn the wing nut to shut off the gas when he slumped
over.
His co-workers quickly pulled him out of the hole. When they didn’t detect a pulse or
breathing, they called 911 and began CPR until DiDonato started coughing. The first-aid and
CPR training they had at the company helped them save DiDonato's life.
“We’re proud of these three employees and all our employees, who watch out for each
other and focus on safety 24/7," said Dan Malone, senior vice president of distribution and
customer operations. "We rely on judgment and a timely response in everything we do."
The AWARDS REVIEW high-
lights industry‐specific awards
and recognizes individuals who
have made major contributions
to the natural gas industry. The
awardees receive their awards
at AGA’s Annual Operations
Conference. The selection
process is based on criteria
involving professional and
personal commitment and
dedication to improving the
operations and engineering
sectors of the natural gas
industry through safety, acci-
dent prevention, research,
“The safe and reliable delivery of clean natural gas to 177 million Americans nation-
wide depends on the hard work and dedication of the employees of America’s natural
gas utilities. Congratulations to all of our award recipients and thank you for your
commitment to your community and our industry.” Dave McCurdy, AGA President &
CEO
The John B. McGowan Sr. Research Award, sponsored by UMAC, Inc., is
to provide recognition to an individual or company who has made an
outstanding contribution to improving the natural gas system safety,
delivery, design, construction, operation, maintenance or efficiency
through their research efforts. This year AGA is proud to recognize
James Witte of El Paso Pipeline Group for his leadership on research
initiatives undertaken primarily through PRCI International that have
helped in the development and revision of such natural gas flow meas-
urement as AGA Report Nos. 9 and 11, for ultrasonic and Coriolis meter-
ing respectively. These two documents have transformed the way
natural gas flow measurement is made, which are now being widely used
in the USA and overseas. Other research works that were initiated under
your leadership have also helped in revisions of AGA Report Nos. 3, 4A,
6, 7 and 8. These new and revised AGA reports made natural gas flow
measurement systems and quality management more accurate,
robust, and reliable. All these have contributed to significant sav-
ings to the industry resulting from lower metering costs and reduc-
tions in lost and unaccounted for product volumes through fewer
metering errors, custody transfer disputes, and improved metering sys-
tem reliability and repeatability.
As a member of AGA’s Transmission Measurement Committee (TMC)
over the last 20+ years, Jim realized the committee’s needs for research
MILTON W. HEATH, SR MEMORIAL AWARD
JOHN B. MCGOWAN, SR RESEARCH AWARD
The Milton W. Heath, Sr. Memorial
Award, sponsored by Heath
Consultants Inc., recognizes the
individual who, in the past five years,
has made an outstanding
contribution to leak detection,
prevention or repair.
This year we honor Marcus Chap-
man of Atmos Energy Corporation
for his work on an improved leak-
detection system to make natural
gas distribution operations
more safe, reliable and efficient.
Marc was chosen selected for his
efforts in leading the development
and implementation of a new
compliance strategy to maximize the
ability to find leaks on the distribu-
tion system. His idea was to use the
combination of a new generation of
leak detection equipment on
leak survey vehicles and laser-
technology based hand held leak
detectors, enabling technicians to
survey the mains and service taps in
JOHN B. MCGOWAN, SR
John B. McGowan, Sr. began his
association with the propane and natural
gas equipment industry in 1956 holding
a variety of sales and marketing
management positions with both The
Scaife Company in Pittsburgh, and
Dresser Industries in Houston. In 1970,
Mr. McGowan founded his own natural
gas equipment manufacturing company,
UMAC, Inc. headquartered in Malvern,
Pennsylvania. Today, UMAC, along with
GasBreaker, Inc., is the global leader in
the manufacture and supply of gas safety
shut-off valves, known as Excess Flow
Valves, which are designed to prevent
explosions when gas lines are ruptured.
During his association with the gas in-
dustry, Mr. McGowan was active in nu-
merous trade associations and technical
committees. In the late 1960's, he served
on the committee that wrote the first
national code of Federal Regulations that
were adopted by the U.S. Department of
Transportation. Mr. McGowan was also a
member of the Gild of Ancient Supplers.
Mr. McGowan retired as the Chairman of
the Board in January 1997 at 70 years of
age and he passed away in August 2003.
In 2009, The American Gas Association
GILD OF ANCIENT
SUPPLERS AWARD
Craig Hoeferlin, assistant vice
president of engineering and
field services with Laclede Gas
Company in St Louis, MO is the
recipient of this year’s Gild of
Ancient Supplers Award for
his exceptional leadership
and service to AGA and the
natural gas industry.
The following AGA member
companies earned Safety
Achievement Awards by
experiencing the lowest
motor vehicle accident rate
for companies of their type.
LOCAL DISTRIBUTION
Chesapeake Utilities Corp.
(Dover, DE)
COMBINATION
City of Holyoke Gas &
Electric, (Holyoke, MA)
TRANSMISSION
ONEOK Gas Transportation,
(Tulsa, OK)
SMALL MEMBER
COMPANIES*
Berkshire Gas, (Pittsfield,
MA)
*All companies with a fleet
3
LOCAL DISTRIBUTION
Small
Fort Pierce Utilities Authority (Fort Pierce,
FL)
Medium-Small
Dominion Hope (Clarksburg, WV) and
Entergy Gas Distribution (New Orleans, LA)
Medium-Large
Duke Energy (Cincinnati, OH)
Large
SourceGas (Lakewood, CO)
Very Large
Dominion East Ohio (Cleveland, OH) and
COMGÁS (Sao Paulo, Brazil)
Mega
Enbridge Gas Distribution (North York, ON)
COMBINATION
Small
Cheyenne Light, Fuel & Power (Cheyenne,
WY)
Medium
Vectren Corporation (Evansville, IN)
Large
Consumers Energy (Jackson, MI)
TRANSMISSION
Small
Midwestern Gas Transmission and Guard-
ian Pipeline (Tulsa, OK)
Medium
National Fuel Gas Supply Corporation
(Williamsville, NY)
Large
2011 SAFETY ACHIEVEMENT AWARDS The following AGA member companies have earned Safety Achievement Awards by experiencing the
lowest incident rate for the number of days away from work, restricted or transferred (DART) among
2011 INDUSTRY LEADER
ACCIDENT PREVENTION
CERTIFICATES The AGA member companies listed below