Our Leadership Team
The people behind True Natural Gas.
Executive Leadership
Chris Stephens
CEO
Chris Stephens is the President/CEO of Coweta-Fayette EMC and the CEO of True Natural Gas located in Palmetto, GA. He holds a Bachelor of Electrical Engineering from Georgia Tech and earned his Professional Engineering Certification in 1998. His career progressed from design engineer roles to Supervisor of Engineering at Coweta-Fayette EMC in 1996, advancing to Vice President of Engineering in 2010 and President/CEO in January 2015. He received the NRECA International Award in 2015 and the Fayette Chamber of Commerce Business Person of the Year award in 2021. He serves on multiple boards and resides in Newnan with his wife Lori and two adult children.
Leslie Marler
President
Leslie Marler is the President, where she is leading the company with a strong focus on supply reliability and strategic growth. Previously serving as Chief Operating Officer, she managed natural gas contract negotiations and execution. She brings extensive experience in supply strategy development and hedging tactics from prior positions at ESI/Fireside Natural Gas and the Municipal Gas Authority of Georgia. She joined True Natural Gas in 2021.
Keith Tunison
Chief Financial Officer
Keith Tunison is the Chief Financial Officer, where he is responsible for all financial and fiscal management aspects of True Natural Gas. He joined in 2021 and brings over 25 years of accounting and finance experience. He is a Certified Public Accountant and Chartered Global Management Accountant with degrees from Rockford University and Northern Illinois University. He volunteers with United Way and Habitat for Humanity and resides in Sharpsburg.
Melissa Taylor
Director of Marketing and Customer Care
Melissa Taylor is the Director of Marketing and Customer Care, where she is responsible for developing and implementing marketing campaigns for the company's advertising, public relations and interactive budget. She joined True Natural Gas in June 2003 and possesses over 26 years of utility industry experience.
Michael Moseley
Director of Commercial Sales
Michael Moseley is the Director of Commercial Sales, where he leads a team of Commercial Sales Representatives in offering competitive rates to large commercial businesses across Georgia. He joined in 2015 as a Commercial Sales Representative before promotion. He brings extensive background in relationship and team building from prior banking industry leadership positions.
Board of Directors
Chuck Johnson
Chairman of the Board
Owner of Chuck Johnson, CPA, which supplies specialized accounting and financial services. He has participated in community boards including Kiwanis, Habitat for Humanity, and the United Way. He holds a University of Georgia degree and resides in Peachtree City with his wife Lynsey and two daughters.
James Lee Hunter
Vice Chairman of the Board
Previously served as Executive Vice President and Chief Information Officer at Southwire Company before retiring in 2007. He earned degrees from Georgia Tech (Electrical Engineering) and West Georgia State University (MBA), holds professional engineer credentials, and has been an EMC member for 28 years. He and his wife Susan have two children and live in Newnan.
Therol R. Brown
Secretary/Treasurer
Has served on the Coweta-Fayette EMC Board representing Fayette County since 2006, earning Board Leadership certification in 2014. He is a West Georgia University graduate and former Georgia Department of Transportation executive. He previously headed the Georgia Highway Contractors Association and now operates a consulting firm. He has been married to Judith Richards Brown for thirty-two years.
J. Neal Shepard, Jr.
Director
President of Neal Shepard and Associates, Inc. with 35 years in life insurance. He served four terms in the Georgia Legislature, including White House liaison duties. Currently serves as Secretary-Treasurer of Coweta-Fayette EMC's Board and chairs the Coweta County Water and Sewer Authority. He is a West Georgia State University graduate living in Newnan with his wife Jodie.
James W. Fulton III
Director
Chairman of Coweta-Fayette EMC's Board of Directors. He serves as Executive Vice President and Managing Broker for Coldwell Banker Commercial operations in Fayette and Coweta counties, having owned his real estate brokerage for over 36 years. Georgia Tech graduate actively involved in church and community activities with his wife Elaine in Fayette County.
Matthew Markham
Board Member at Large
Deputy Director of Planning for the Georgia Department of Transportation with nearly 15 years in various state government leadership roles. Previously served as Senior Policy Advisor and Speechwriter to Lieutenant Governor Casey Cagle. He holds English and Master of Public Administration degrees, graduated from Leadership Coweta, and serves as a church deacon. He resides in Newnan with his wife Carrie and two children.
Elaine M. Gaillard
Board Member at Large
Director of Marketing for Ashley Glen Assisted Living for the past decade. She serves as Vice President of Fayette Senior Services' Board and participates in Peachtree City Rotary and chamber commerce boards. She has been an EMC member for 21 years, has one daughter, and resides in Fayetteville.
Dwight D. Ellison
Board Member at Large
Formerly Vice President of Corporate Security for Turner Broadcasting and Deputy Assistant Director of Investigations for the U.S. Secret Service. He is a Board Member and immediate past President of Summit Family YMCA and a First Coweta Bank director. He previously taught English and now volunteers as a school mentor. Clark Atlanta University graduate residing in Newnan with his wife Kathy and two adult daughters.