Cartridge Campaign PDF

Michelle, Michelle, David & Preston

Nearly two hundred people from local corporations, clubs and families attended the Team Captain’s Kick-Off Luncheon Thursday, August 27^th at the Hilton in Jackson. The lunch was hosted by David Gates, President of the Mississippi Division of Atmos Energy and 2009 Walk to Cure Diabetes Corporate Chair. The theme for this years Walk is “Wipeout Diabetes!”, a theme based on the desire to wipe out diabetes, and the vision of those who live with it everyday. The event was emceed by Scott Steele of US 96.3, and the keynote speaker was 8 year old Preston Oden, who was diagnosed with Type 1 diabetes at only one year of age. Preston also introduced Case, his diabetic alert dog. Case is trained to alert his parents of sugar highs and lows, and she has been with Preston for a month now.

David Gates, President Mississippi Division, Atmos Energy Corporation

“I’m getting involved because I truly believe we can help find a cure for diabetes in my lifetime.  The progress we’ve made has been tremendous.  In the meantime, there is much we can do to continue to improve the quality of life for those impacted by this disease.”  David Gates

      David Gates has served Atmos Energy as President of its Mississippi division since May of 2007. He has held several leadership positions since joining Atmos Energy in 1991 including Vice President of Operations for the Kentucky/Mid-States division before coming to Mississippi.  David has served on numerous civic and industry organizations including the Jackson Metro Chamber Board, Leadership Mississippi and the MB Swayze Foundation Board. David earned an Engineering degree from Texas Tech University and is a licensed engineer. He and his wife Jill have been married for 22 years and reside in Madison with their two children.

Top: Ayden Wolken and David Gates Bottom: Brower Myers and Brittany Darby

The Juvenile Diabetes Research Foundation’s (JDRF) Annual Corporate Breakfast was held on June 4, 2009 at the River Hills Club. This event introduces the Walk Corporate Chair to our sponsorship community, and to the Board of Directors. We are lucky to have David Gates, President of the Mississippi Division of Atmos Energy as our Corporate Chair this year, and we know he and the employees at Atmos will do a fantastic job! Atmos has always been a great supporter of the JDRF Mississippi Chapter, and we look forward to working more closely with them this year. We had just over 60 people in attendance, including a few of our type 1 kids, and they are pictured here with David.