Atmos Energy 2007 Annual Report Download - page 6

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4
United by
Our Vision
BRIDGING THE FUTURE
Atmos Energy was founded by
visionaries who saw limitless
possibilities in providing energy to
homes and businesses. As the
natural gas industry has evolved,
Atmos Energy has grown and
prospered. Today, our commitment
to our customers and shareholders
is apparent in everything we do—
from innovative ratemaking to
technologies that improve perform-
ance to investments for future growth.
As we begin a second century,
Atmos Energy is prepared to play an
expanded role as the nation’s largest all-natural-gas distribution company. We are delivering, transporting,
marketing, gathering and storing America’s most valuable fuel to create a better way of life for all.
We are dedicated to producing stable, sustained and successful operating and financial results. For the
past seven years, we have achieved our stated goal of increasing earnings per share, on average, by
4 percent to 6 percent. Earnings per diluted share in fiscal 2007 went up 5.5 percent, or 10 cents, to $1.92.
The company paid cash dividends in fiscal 2007 of $1.28 per share. In November 2007, our board of
directors again raised the annual dividend by 2 cents to an indicated rate of $1.30 per share. Taking into
account our mergers and acquisitions, Atmos Energy has paid higher consecutive annual dividends every
year since becoming a separate company in 1983.
STRATEGIC STRENGTH
Our business strategy combines three goals: to expand by making prudent acquisitions, to maximize
earnings from our core regulated operations and to grow our complementary nonregulated operations.
Besides yielding more stable earnings, our strategy is providing more opportunities for growth.
Senior Management Team
Robert W. Best (seated)
Chairman, President and
Chief Executive Officer
Left to right:
Wynn D. McGregor
Senior Vice President,
Human Resources
J. Patrick Reddy
Senior Vice President and
Chief Financial Officer
Kim R. Cocklin
Senior Vice President,
Regulated Operations
Louis P. Gregory
Senior Vice President and
General Counsel
Mark H. Johnson
Senior Vice President,
Nonregulated Operations
Dear Fellow Shareholder: