Author Archives: Jennifer O'Shea

Jennifer O'Shea Piedmont Natural Gas Recognized as an American Heart Association Start! Fit-Friendly Company

Posted on December 3, 2010 by | Comments Off on Piedmont Natural Gas Recognized as an American Heart Association Start! Fit-Friendly Company


It will come as no surprise that obesity in the country is on the rise…Michelle Obama has made this issue her top priority and headlines across the country emphasize how large this problem has grown. With that in mind, we are proud to share the news that AGA member company, Piedmont Natural Gas, has been recognized for the second year in a row as a Platinum-Level Start! Fit-Friendly Company by the American Heart Association (AHA). The Platinum-Level award is the highest level of recognition in the AHA’s Start! program. Companies recognized at the Platinum-level offer employees such things as physical activity options in the workplace; increased healthy eating options at the worksite; promotion of a wellness culture in the workplace; and, measurable outcomes related to workplace wellness.

Piedmont’s wellness program is in its fourth year and continues to grow. It has been incredibly well received by employees, and in 2010, 84 percent of Piedmont’s employees participated in the company’s Biometric Health Screening and Health Risk Assessment programs. Employees participating in the health risk assessments or the biometric screenings have free access to a health coach for up to 12 months to assist them with their health goals. Piedmont’s wellness program offers employees an on-site wellness coordinator and reimbursement programs for utilization of fitness centers, weight management and tobacco cessation. Piedmont also issues a quarterly wellness newsletter and sponsors frequent opportunities for employees to learn more about a variety of health topics.

Piedmont’s chairman, president and CEO, Thomas E. Skains addressed the company’s commitment to wellness: “We are honored that the American Heart Association has again recognized Piedmont’s efforts to promote physical activity and overall employee wellness. We remain committed to providing wellness education and opportunities for our employees and their families, but it is their dedication that is responsible for the success of our programs and the many positive results for Piedmont Natural Gas.”

Congratulations, Piedmont…here’s to a healthy holiday season!

Is your company or organization doing something to promote healthy living? Make sure to send us a message or leave a comment below so we can highlight your company’s successes too.

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Jennifer O'Shea Don’t Miss Out—Make Sure to Register for the World Shale Gas Conference & Exposition

Posted on August 26, 2010 by | Comments Off on Don’t Miss Out—Make Sure to Register for the World Shale Gas Conference & Exposition


I am pleased to announce that registration is now open for the World Shale Gas Conference & Exposition, which will be held from November 2-5, 2010, at the Gaylord Texan Convention Center in the Dallas, TX metro area. With natural gas from shale being widely recognized as a likely geopolitical game changer for the natural gas industry, this is sure to be a spectacular event.

This event will provide in-depth training in key areas, as well as an exclusive senior level strategic conference that will focus on the commercial, strategic, financial and regulatory issues affecting shale gas production and distribution. This will be complemented by a technical exhibition showcasing the new and existing technologies that are unlocking the potential of shale gas.

We will be bringing together the whole natural gas industry value chain: resource holders, government officials and regulators, operators, service and technology companies, and pipeline and distribution companies from around the world to share knowledge, form partnerships and promote the emergence of this game-changing source of natural gas.

With only about two months before this great event takes place, now is the time to reserve your space. Keep in mind that AGA members get a discounted registration fee.

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Jennifer O'Shea Dave Parker Receives Prestigious Key Award from ASAE and The Center

Posted on August 25, 2010 by | Comments Off on Dave Parker Receives Prestigious Key Award from ASAE and The Center


You may recall that we recently mentioned that Dave Parker was chosen to receive The Key Award from the American Society of Association Executives (ASAE) and The Center for Association Leadership (The Center). We were thrilled that he was officially presented with the award on Saturday, August 21, at ASAE and The Center’s annual conference in Los Angeles, CA.

The Key Award honors an association CEO who demonstrates exceptional qualities of leadership in his or her own association, and displays a deep commitment to voluntary membership organizations as a whole. This is the highest honor bestowed upon association chief staff executives by ASAE and The Center, and it’s no surprise that Dave was selected for this prestigious award—he is a superb leader and we are all very proud that his efforts have been recognized.

Congratulations, Dave!

Please join us in congratulating Dave below in the comments.

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Jennifer O'Shea Beating the Heat with Summer LIHEAP Action Day

Posted on July 29, 2010 by | 1 Comment


As we continue to experience record high temperatures throughout the country, it couldn’t be a better time than now to help bring attention to the critical need for Low Income Home Energy Assistance Program (LIHEAP) funding. On July 28, along with the Edison Electric Institute (EEI) and National Fuel Funds Network (NFFN), we hosted a Summer LIHEAP Action Day to build awareness about this valuable program that saves lives every year.

The purpose of the event was to bring together LIHEAP advocates and recipients from across the county to help convince Congress to fully fund LIHEAP at $5.1 billion for FY11 and encourage an increase to $7.6 billion as outlined in Rep. Ed Markey’s (D-MA) Energy Assistance for American Families Act. President Obama proposed LIHEAP funding for FY11 at a level of $3.3 billion, down from $5.1 billion in FY10 and FY09.

We also called on Congress to release the remaining 2010 LIHEAP contingency resources–$100 million—to help vulnerable Americans who cannot afford to cool their homes during these blazing summer months.

Throughout the day there were various activities, and one of the most exciting events was the press conference we hosted on Capitol Hill where we were fortunate to be joined by Congressman Gene Green and Congresswoman Sheila Jackson Lee. Both from Texas, they certainly understand how high the mercury can rise, and how dangerous high temperatures can be for those without energy assistance. We were happy to have them with us to echo our calls for LIHEAP funding—for both heating and cooling.

You can see some of the photos of the press conference at the end of this post. You can see more photos from the day’s events on our Flickr stream.

Another highlight of Summer LIHEAP Action Day was when Dave Parker and Rep. Edward Markey (D-Mass) were presented with awards from NFFN. Dave Parker was awarded the Sister Pat Kelly Achievement Award, NFFN’s highest energy assistance recognition award. This award is given to individuals who have demonstrated superior achievements in goals set by NFFN: increasing public awareness and understanding of low-income energy issues; influencing energy-related policies beneficial to low-income people; assisting in the creation and development of fuel funds; promoting communication and coordination among parties concerned with low-income energy issues on national, regional, and statewide levels. Rep. Markey (D-Mass) was presented with The Extra Mile Award, which recognizes legislative achievement on behalf of LIHEAP.

Here are photos of Dave and Rep. Markey receiving these prestigious awards.

Rep. Markey (D-Mass) with The Extra Mile Award, which recognizes legislative achievement on behalf of LIHEAP. Dave Parker with the Sister Pat Kelly Achievement Award, NFFN’s highest energy assistance recognition award.

While the cold winter months seem distant as we read the temperatures these days, our next LIHEAP Action Day will be here before we know it. Make sure to mark your calendar for February 9, 2011 so you can join us in the nation’s capital as we continue to make sure LIHEAP funding is available for those who need it most.

And don’t forget to post your thoughts about LIHEAP below in the comments—we always like to hear how this great program is helping folks throughout the nation.

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