AGA awards Skaggs 2016 Distinguished Service Award

The American Gas Association (AGA) awarded Robert “Bob” C. Skaggs, Jr. the 2016 Distinguished Service Award on Monday during its annual AGA Executive Conference for distinguished service as the former chairman and CEO of Columbia Pipeline Group, Inc. (CPG).

“Throughout his career, Bob has been recognized as an experienced, knowledgeable and innovative leader with a proven track record of success,” AGA President and CEO Dave McCurdy said. “As AGA chairman in 2010, Bob’s emphasis on the direct use of natural gas in America’s homes and businesses led to significant benefits for our industry, including a new awareness of the efficiency and environmental advantages of the full-fuel-cycle energy measurement.

“This effort was supported by the National Academy of Science’s report to Congress, which recommended that DOE measure appliance efficiency standards based on the full-fuel-cycle. In addition to his remarkable accomplishments and leadership skills, everyone knows that Bob is just a terrific guy. Bob has made an indelible mark on this industry and I am honored to present him with the 2016 AGA Distinguished Service Award.”

Skaggs began at the law department of Columbia Gas Transmission (CGT) in 1981. Skaggs served in numerous management positions, and eventually became president of Columbia Gas of Ohio and Columbia Gas of Kentucky in 1996. When NiSource, Inc., and Columbia Energy Group merged in 2000, Skaggs became president of Bay State Gas and Northern Utilities.

In Dec. 2001, Skaggs became president and CEO of Columbia companies in Pennsylvania, Virginia and Maryland. Skaggs was promoted to executive vice president of regulated revenue for NiSource in Oct. 2003. He has served as president of NiSource since 2004 and CEO since 2005.

Skaggs also served on the board of directors of Columbia Pipeline Partners LP and as a former trustee of the Columbia Pipeline Group Charitable Foundation.