LAWTON, Oklahoma (August 16, 2022) – Summit Utilities Inc., parent company of Oklahoma-based Summit Utilities Oklahoma was recently selected as one of the 2022 Best Places to Work in Oklahoma in the Large Employer Category.

The Journal Record and the Best Companies Group have teamed up for the sixth year to honor Oklahoma businesses and organizations excelling in creating quality workplaces. Companies are selected based on employee interviews plus workplace policies, practices, and demographics.

The Best Places to Work program is designed to identify, recognize, and honor the best employers in Oklahoma benefiting the industry's economy, workforce, and businesses. The list is made up of 44 companies.

“We are honored to be recognized for fostering a work environment and culture that is diverse and collaborative,” said Cynthia Westcott, Vice President of Operations at Summit. “Our goal is to make all our team members feel respected. This recognition reflects how the success of Summit is rooted in the belief and daily execution of our core cultural values of pioneering, excellence, agility, kindness, and safety.”

To be considered for participation, organizations had to fulfill the following eligibility requirements:

• Must be in business a minimum of 1 year;
• be a publicly or privately held business;
• have a facility in Oklahoma;
• have a minimum of 15 employees in Oklahoma; and,
• be a for-profit or not-for-profit business.

Companies from across the state of Oklahoma entered the two-part survey process to determine Best Places to Work in Oklahoma. The first part consisted of evaluating each nominated organization's workplace policies, practices, philosophy, systems, and demographics.

The second part consisted of an employee survey to measure the employee experience. The combined scores determined the top nonprofits and the final ranking. Best Companies Group managed the overall registration and survey process, analyzed the data, and determined the ranking.

“In our current economy, employees are being selective regarding where they want to work and who they want to work for,” Journal Record Editor Joe Dowd said. “The Best Places to Work program honors those companies that make their employees a priority.”

Summit’s official rank among the 44 companies selected will be announced at a celebration held on November 17th at the National Cowboy & Western Heritage Museum. A special publication containing the rankings will be included in the November 18, 2022 issue of The Journal Record.

For more information on The Best Places to Work in Oklahoma program, visit www.BestPlacestoWorkOK.com.

Summit Utilities, Inc. closed on its acquisition of CenterPoint Energy’s natural gas distribution assets in Arkansas, Oklahoma and the Texarkana, Texas area on January 10, 2022. The gas distribution systems included in the transaction serve approximately 525,000 customers in Arkansas, Oklahoma, and Texas, and include 17,000 miles of gas main pipeline throughout those three states. As part of the acquisition, Summit has welcomed nearly 600 CenterPoint team members to the company. Throughout 2022, Summit and CenterPoint will work together to migrate all operations and services to Summit. During that transition period, CenterPoint will continue to provide certain services to customers on behalf of Summit including aspects of billing, customer support and marketing. Summit Utilities, Inc. owns natural gas distribution and transmission subsidiaries that operate in Arkansas, Colorado, Maine, Missouri, Oklahoma, and Texas. The company provides safe, clean and affordable natural gas to businesses and residents in six states through Arkansas Oklahoma Gas, Colorado Natural Gas, Summit Natural Gas of Maine, Summit Natural Gas of Missouri, Summit Utilities Arkansas, and Summit Utilities Oklahoma. Each of Summit’s natural gas distribution and transmission subsidiaries constructs and installs natural gas distribution systems with the goal of supporting economic development by providing clean-burning, safe and reliable natural gas to residential and commercial customers through exceptional customer service and commitment to community. Overall, Summit entities serve approximately 625,000 customers and operate more than 23,400 miles of pipeline.