Importantly, the latest payout marks the 29th consecutive quarterly distribution hike by the pipeline operator, of which 24 increases have been 10% or more year over year.

FORBES: Get A Steady Flow Of Income From This Oil MLP That's Raised Its Dividend 29 Times In A Row

For example, a CEO may decide that the following goals are essential: Increasing products or pipeline, improving distribution channels, making cost structures flexible to cyclicality, accelerating quality improvement, and establishing market leadership in a given segment or geography.

FORBES: The War Against Big Banks Is A War Against Your Mind

"We've hired 100 people to work 100 percent on pipeline safety in our distribution system over the last two years, " he said.

WSJ: Report: Michigan a leader in outdated gas lines

CMS's Consumers Energy unit has 626 miles of cast- and wrought-iron pipeline in its gas system, or about 2.4 percent of the utility's total distribution system.

WSJ: Report: Michigan a leader in outdated gas lines

In the past five years, we have increased our hotel distribution in Brazil, Russia, India and China at a 12 percent compound annual growth rate while tripling our development pipeline in those markets.

FORBES: Marriott Disappoints Investors Despite 19% EPS Growth