Kim R. Cocklin is the former President and CEO of Atmos Energy Corporation, a leading natural gas distribution company. Born in 1951, he has had a long career focused on management roles in the energy sector. Before becoming CEO in...

Kim R. Cocklin is the former President and CEO of Atmos Energy Corporation, a leading natural gas distribution company. Born in 1951, he has had a long career focused on management roles in the energy sector. Before becoming CEO in October 2010, Cocklin held other key positions within Atmos Energy and worked for Piedmont Natural Gas. He is known for aligning executive pay with company performance, emphasizing earnings per share (EPS) targets to ensure shareholder value growth. During his tenure, Kim made significant cash earnings, with total compensations like $4.7 million in 2011, a noteworthy sum that included a salary and performance bonuses. His commitment to performance metrics led Atmos Energy to achieve financial targets that boosted his bonuses, demonstrating the strategy he adopted to drive results. In 2020, he announced his retirement as Executive Chairman, which marked the end of an era in the company. Cocklin is noted for his hands-on approach and strategic insights into managing a utility company, making him a significant figure in the energy industry.