Kudos to Northwest Gas; board members, management and employees

You may not realize it, but one of the biggest businesses in not only Hamilton, but Northwest Alabama, is Northwest Gas, also known as the Northwest Alabama Gas District.
The “speak softly but carry a big stick” company is ran by a board of directors composed of the member municipalities who had the foresight to create the gas company seven decades ago.
It wasn’t easy. It’s been tough. It’s taken a lot of good decisions by a lot of great board members, managers and employees to create what the entire area benefits from today.
By being run well, Northwest Gas is able to offer some of the lowest prices in the system to its gas customers, as well as lower prices on gas appliances. Customers who switch to gas from electric or propane can even receive a free tank water heater.  
And trusted brands, such as Whirlpool, Frigidaire and Amana, are available at cost, with no markup. The gas company can also help with custom parts and equipment.
From its headquarters in Hamilton and a few branch offices and satellite payment sites, the gas district serves more than 20,000 customers across nine counties, including Marion County.
A great group of loyal employees, from construction workers, to engineers, to office personnel, to servicemen, to meter readers--all make up the gas district roster. At the helm is general manager Heath Reed, who is doing an outstanding job since he took over nine years ago.
Mr. Heath just garnered a deal with Decatur Utilities which will add customers and revenue. The company will also soon be making a direct connection to the Tennessee Gas Pipeline, where extra gas could be obtained if necessary, opening the door for larger manufacturing needs across the district area.
Yes, I’m singing their praises. I sat in on the last board meeting in April. I also visited them in February, and I covered the gas district for eight-straight years previously. With a smaller staff now at the Journal-Record, though, I can’t guarantee I’ll make every meeting or have the opportunity to write up each agenda item.
But I did want to share what I thought is a very newsworthy story about the board backing one of its own--Winfield--and helping to pay the cost for a huge gas main relocation. See this story starting on the front page.
To me, needing to move a gas line for future development could happen to any of our communities in Marion County. We are all growing. By helping each other to grow, the gas district is continuing what it started in 1952.
Officials and governments from Hamilton, Winfield, Guin, Hackleburg, Sulligent and Haleyville provided funds and the groundwork needed to establish Northwest Gas.
For more than 70 years, each mayor of those municipalities, with very few exceptions, served on the board for their entire terms. Each one of those board members--along with strong management and great employees--is responsible for the current success of this joint endeavour.
We now have Hamilton Mayor Bob Page, Winfield Mayor Randy Price, Guin Mayor Phil Segraves, Hackleburg Mayor Darryl Colburn, Sulligent Mayor Scott Boman and Haleyville Mayor Ken Sunseri helping to guide the decisions recommended by Mr. Heath.
Some of the offerings available to customers now could not even be imagined 70 years ago, such as paying bills online or signing up for new services on a phone or computer. Check out their website at nwagd.com to see specials and available opportunities, or call the office today at 205-921-3106.
I always appreciate the chance to visit with many of our county’s mayors at the Northwest Gas Board of Directors meetings. It’s nice to see the staff, as well. The gas district is also one of the leading employers in the area. The best people are paid what they deserve, and most will stay until they retire. It’s good to see familiar faces, as well as a few terrific new hires.
As always, thanks for reading. To God be the glory! Be blessed!