ONEOK’s distribution division includes Oklahoma Natural Gas Company, that state’s largest natural gas distributor; Kansas Gas Service, the largest natural gas distributor in Kansas; and Texas Gas Service, the third largest natural gas distributor in that state. In 2004, the three companies represented approximately $2.8 billion in assets and $1.9 billion in revenue. They serve more than 2 million customers with approximately 2,900 employees.

During his 20-year tenure with the company, Combs (48 years old) has held engineering, marketing and management positions. He became vice president of Oklahoma Natural Gas (ONG) Company’s Oklahoma City District in 1996, and was named vice president of their Western Region in 1998. Combs was promoted to president and chief operating officer in 2001. He became president of ONEOK Distribution Companies in February 2005. Prior to joining ONG in 1984, Combs spent five years as a manager in the telecommunications industry.

Sam believes strongly in community involvement and is active on several boards. He serves as a director of First Fidelity Bank, i2E Inc., the Southern Gas Association, and SSM Health Care of Oklahoma. He also serves on the Governor’s Council on Workforce and Economic Development, and boards of the Oklahoma State University Foundation, and The State Chamber, among others. He is past president of Leadership of Oklahoma, past board chair of the Urban League of Greater Oklahoma City, and a former member of the Oklahoma Judicial Nominating Commission.

Sam has been recognized and honored for contributions to his community and state. He was named as one of the “75 most powerful African Americans in corporate America,” by Black Enterprise magazine in January 2005, and was named an “Oklahoma Star” by Oklahoma Governor Brad Henry and the Department of Commerce in May 2003. Combs also received a Distinguished Alumni Award from Oklahoma State University in November 2003.

Combs is a member of the Executive Leadership Council, and the National Association of Corporate Directors (NACD). He completed the Minority Director Development Program at Northwestern’s Kellogg School of Management in 2004.

Sam received a bachelor’s degree in industrial engineering from Oklahoma State University in 1980 and graduated from the Executive Program at the University of Michigan’s Business School in 1999.