Southern Star’s Shawn Patterson named 2026 chair of SGA Natural Gas Association

Southern Star Central Gas Pipeline President and CEO Shawn Patterson has been selected as the 2026 chair of the SGA Natural Gas Association, taking on the role at a time when operators face rising expectations around reliability, emissions and workforce development.

Patterson is known across the sector for his emphasis on operational discipline, collaborative leadership and safety performance. His career spans efforts to strengthen high-performance teams, advance safety culture and introduce operational and technological improvements across natural gas systems.

Shawn Patterson

As chair, Patterson will help guide SGA’s committees, programs and leadership initiatives as the industry works through challenges that include aging infrastructure, evolving regulations and a tightening labor market. SGA said his priorities include expanding opportunities for shared learning, developing the next generation of technical and operational talent, and accelerating solutions that support reliable and affordable natural gas service.

The association framed Patterson’s appointment as a call for decisive action and continued collaboration across the natural gas value chain as member companies adapt to rapid change.