APGA SOAR
Jackson, TN - (August 28, 2025) David Schryver, President and CEO of the American Public Gas Association (APGA), made a special visit to the Jackson Energy Authority (JEA) Board meeting to celebrate JEA’s receipt of the SOAR Award. The APGA System Operational Achievement Recognition (SOAR) is a prestigious award recognizing excellence in operating a natural gas utility. Out of approximately 730 APGA members across 38 states, JEA was selected for the SOAR Gold level by its peers on the APGA Operations and Safety Committee. This recognition was based on JEA's demonstrated excellence in four key areas: system integrity, system improvement, employee safety, and workforce development.
The SOAR program spans three years, and JEA achieved the highest level, Gold, in 2019, 2022 and 2025. This year’s accomplishment is enhanced by the 2023 revised rubric of the SOAR program, which incorporated increased expectations for participants, encouraged further integration of new technologies and best practices, and aligned with recent industry standards.
Monte Cooper, Jackson Energy Authority President/CEO, noted, “This SOAR Award and APGA President/CEO, David Schryver’s personal visit to Jackson highlighted the quality of every aspect of JEA’s Natural Gas Division.”
JEA Natural Gas Sr. Vice-President, Braxton Williams, added, “Maintenance of natural gas supply, safely and efficiently distributed, does not happen without a skilled, dedicated, customer-oriented team, once again nationally recognized by the APGA.”
APGA President/CEO, David Schryver, summarized, “JEA was highly rated in all four SOAR required areas, serving as a model for all other natural gas utilities in the country.”
Pictured from left to right: Monte Cooper (JEA President/CEO), David Schryver (APGA President/CEO), JEA Board President , Braxton Williams (JEA Sr VP Gas Administration).
* System integrity pertains to the natural gas distribution system performing its intended function safely, efficiently, and effectively, ensuring energy is distributed to all customers without degradation or impairment from internal or external factors.
System improvement involves maintaining the natural gas system and keeping it up-to-date through self-improvement programs that prioritize future developments, research, technology integration, and a commitment to ongoing enhancements.
Employee safety is characterized by comprehensive safety programs that include policies and procedures for education, accountability for all employees, and the tracking of safety performance.
Workforce development emphasizes innovative recruitment, training, education, and development practices designed to yield a return on investment through increased employee loyalty, motivation, safety, and productivity.
**APGA is the national association representing municipally and publicly owned local distribution systems. These public gas utilities operate as not-for-profit retail distribution entities that are owned by and accountable to the citizens they serve. They encompass municipal gas distribution systems, public utility districts, county districts, and various public agencies with natural gas distribution facilities.
