The American Society of Association Executives (ASAE) has recognized the American Gas Association (AGA) with a 2015 “Power of a Gold Award” for AGA’s groundbreaking, voluntary national Peer Review Program. The ASAE Award is granted to associations for leveraging their unique resources to solve problems, advance industry/professional performance, kick start innovation and improve world conditions.

“AGA’s mission is to bring the nation’s local natural gas utilities together to share unique experiences and expertise, find solutions and elevate the safety and performance of the industry as a whole so that Americans can access the tremendous benefits of our abundant natural gas resources,” said AGA President and CEO Dave McCurdy. “The Peer Review Program is an example of how the connections formed through association membership can be leveraged to enhance industry performance and benefit customers and communities. We are honored to receive the ASAE ‘Power of A Gold Award.’”

AGA announced the creation of the national Peer Review Program in October 2014, as part of the natural gas utility industry’s ongoing efforts to enhance safe and reliable natural gas delivery. A voluntary peer-to-peer safety and operational practices review program, it allows participants from AGA’s more than 200 member companies to observe their peers, share leading practices and identify opportunities to better serve customers and communities. The development of the national program follows the successful completion of a pilot program conducted from June 2013 through March 2014, involving ten AGA member companies. While other industry sectors have implemented peer safety reviews, this is the first program of its kind in the natural gas utility industry to be taken to a national level.

As a “Power of A Gold Award” recipient, AGA is now eligible to earn one of six ASAE Summit Awards, the results of which will be announced in September 2015.

Source: American Gas Association; www.aga.org