The Legend Says Goodbye…For Now – A Profile of Fred Kirkwood

When asked what it's like to hear colleagues refer to his own retirement as "The Legend Is Retiring," Fred Kirkwood displays his characteristic humor and candor. "It makes me feel old," he says with a chuckle. "It humbles me that the folks who have been here think I've made an impact."

As Chief Customer Experience Officer at Summit Utilities, Inc., Fred has championed customer-centric strategies impacting more than 625,000 customers across Arkansas, Colorado, Maine, Missouri, Oklahoma, and Texas. On January 13, 2026, he will retire, forty years to the day since he began his career in natural gas. Though he is not one to tout his professional accomplishments, do not mistake his reticence for passivity. "I'm really, really competitive," he says. "I like to win."

Fred Kirkwood Fred oversaw much of this growth, rising through the ranks to become the Senior Vice President of Marketing and Customer Development. He led efforts in service expansion, customer engagement, and strategic growth that made the company a key driver of Summit's extended reach.

Reflecting on his early years at AOG—which close colleagues playfully refer to as "Fred's Gas Company"—Fred says that he was fortunate to land at a community-minded organization.

"It allowed me to see the value of engaging in community events and seeing how it positively impacts an organization."

And see the value he did. Fred exemplifies a life of service, dedicating his time to organizations such as Leadership Fort Smith, the Fort Smith Boys and Girls Club, Girls Inc., the Greater Fort Smith Home Builders Association, and the Arkansas Gas Association. Upholding the pillars of family and faith, he also proudly serves as the Chairman of Trustees and Deacons at Shady Grove Baptist Church.

At United Way, Fred has served on the board and helped evaluate the organization's contributions to nonprofit agencies. But he has never been content with making high-level decisions alone—often choosing instead to be on the ground, delivering meals to elderly community members.

Interactions like these have had a profound impact on him, especially as a leader with the power to make a difference. "When we delivered food, we saw elderly people boxed up in a single room in their homes. They needed to stay warm, but they couldn't afford the cost of heating." Witnessing the realities of his neighbors inspired him to figure out ways to assist those in need. Most notably, he helped spearhead programs and assistance, such as AOG's Low-Income Weatherization Program, which provides improvements like insulation and window sealants to keep people warm during the cold months.

Speaking with his colleagues, it's clear that everyone considers themselves part of his inner circle, a testament to his ability to make everyone feel welcomed, and their contributions valued. "He has an infinite capacity for people," says Clark Medlock, Director of Energy Efficiency Programs at Summit, who explains that Fred's beloved status is a combination of his gregarious personality and his deep professional knowledge. "My field is very niche," Clark explains, "so for Fred to be an expert in energy efficiency in Arkansas, at his level, is a big deal."

Above all, it's about action for Fred. As his Executive Administrative Assistant, Phyllis Parker, says,

"What you see is what you get. He doesn't just talk the talk; he walks the walk. When Fred talks about his commitment to work and family, caring and reaching out to people, he truly does all of that and more."

The list of professionals who cite Fred as a mentor reinforces this sentiment. Reflecting on a multi-year energy efficiency project in the early 2000s, Stephanie Hammons, Senior Vice President of Regulatory Affairs at Summit, fondly recalls partnering with Fred, who became her mentor as they crisscrossed Arkansas and Oklahoma by car. "Together, we became energy efficiency experts," she says. "It was a time of great growth and opportunity for me, and I can't think back to that project without thinking of everything Fred taught me about the gas industry and about business in general."

Few people can say they have remained in a single industry for four decades. That commitment—that unrelenting drive—comes from somewhere. For Fred, it came from watching his mother. Born in Mississippi, she had only an eighth-grade education when her family removed her from school and put her to work on the family farm.

Later in life, as a single mother of five boys, she worked in private-duty maid service to support her family. "I watched her get up every day and go to work," Fred recalls. "But it was never just a job. The families she worked for treated her like family. They just loved her." From his mother, Fred learned independence and developed a work ethic that would set him apart. "It is the backbone of who I am today. I'm always appreciative because I know where I came from."

His work ethic has earned him his own acronym, as Jay Clark, Senior Manager of Billing Services at Summit, notes. "We often joke about his PTO, calling it 'FTO' (Fred Time Off) because he's always available to chat or solve a problem." While he readily admits there is little delineation between his professional and private life, Fred says his family knows they come first. The love and support of his wife, Carla; daughter, Jasmine; and twin granddaughters, Alani and Siya Palmer, form the foundation that allows him to thrive and succeed in his professional pursuits.

Though officially retiring, Fred has no intention of fading into the background. He plans to continue mentoring leaders at Summit, advocating for the natural gas industry, and serving on community boards. But when asked what he is most proud of, he is unequivocal. "I coached my daughter's basketball team from the second grade to the tenth grade. We had 241 wins and seven losses," he says, grinning from ear to ear. "I don't like losing."

In truth, "The Legend Is Retiring" is a bit misleading. Yes, Fred Kirkwood will be stepping away from his role as Chief Customer Experience Officer; that much is true. But his legacy lies in the impact he has made in his community and the respect he has earned from his family, friends, and colleagues. In that sense, the Legend is here to stay.