LAS VEGAS, Aug. 4, 2014 /PRNewswire/ -- On August 1, 2014, Jeffrey W. Shaw, President and Chief Executive Officer ("CEO") of Southwest Gas Corporation (NYSE: SWX), informed the Board of Directors ("Board") that he will retire as the CEO effective March 1, 2015. Mr. Shaw also stepped down as the Company's President on August 1, 2014. Mr. Shaw's career at Southwest Gas has spanned 26 years, with over 10 years as CEO.
The Board has planned for this eventuality for several years and on August 1, 2014, appointed John P. Hester as its President effective August 1, 2014. Mr. Hester will succeed Mr. Shaw, and will assume the position of CEO, upon Mr. Shaw's retirement.
According to Michael J. Melarkey, Chairman of the Board of Directors, "Jeff has provided invaluable leadership to Southwest Gas during his tenure as CEO. He has built, and will leave in place, a strong management team, well placed to lead the Company as we look to the future. Jeff will be missed, but the Board is very confident that Southwest Gas will continue to grow and thrive under John's leadership."
Mr. Hester, a 25-year employee of Southwest Gas, has served as Executive Vice President since 2013 and was responsible for administration, finance, gas resources, legal, marketing, and regulatory affairs. He served as the Senior Vice President/Regulatory Affairs and Energy Resources from 2006 to 2013 and as Vice President/Regulatory Affairs and Systems Planning from 2003 to 2006.
Mr. Hester received bachelor's and master's degrees in Economics from Northern Illinois University. He currently serves on the Catholic Charities of Southern Nevada Board of Trustees, the College of Southern Nevada Foundation Board of Trustees, and the Las Vegas Metro Chamber Board of Trustees.
Southwest Gas Corporation provides natural gas service to approximately 1.9 million customers in Arizona, Nevada, and California.
This press release may contain statements which constitute "forward-looking statements" within the meaning of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995 (Reform Act). All such forward-looking statements are intended to be subject to the safe harbor protection provided by the Reform Act.
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SOURCE Southwest Gas Corporation