Atlanta-based gas and electric utility giant, Southern Company, announced Thursday a change in leadership.
Effective March 31, the current president, chairman and CEO of Georgia Power Chris Womack, will take the reigns as president of Southern Company. In a press release, Southern said Womack has also been elected as a member of the Board of Directors.
Following the conclusion of Southern Company’s 2023 Annual Meeting of Stakeholders, Womack has also been appointed CEO of Southern effective immediately.
"The Board has been actively engaged in succession planning for the past several years, and after consideration of a number of candidates, we unanimously selected Chris as our new Chief Executive Officer and president,” David J. Grain, Southern Company's lead independent director said in a press release. “Chris' proven leadership, alignment with our values and ability to deliver strong results makes him a terrific choice to lead Southern Company.”
Upon Womack’s assumption of CEO and president, the current chairman of the Board, CEO and president of Southern Company Thomas A. Fanning, 65, will assume the role of Executive Chairman of Board of Directors. Fanning has led Southern since 2010.
“Chris' leadership, vision and integrity during his career with Southern Company have uniquely prepared him to guide Southern Company into a new era," Fanning said in a press release. "With our recent progress at Plant Vogtle and continued conversion of our operations towards net zero emissions, I believe that now is an ideal time to transition to new leadership.”
Womack, 64, is a native of Greenville, Alabama and first joined Southern Company in 1988. He has served as president of Georgia Power since 2020 and chairman, president and CEO since 2021. Prior to his current roles, he served as executive vice president and president of external affairs for Southern Company.
In a statement, Womack recognizes the changes in customers' needs.
“We're building the future of energy, and I'm excited to continue playing a role in this new capacity,” Womack said.
Effective as of March 31, 2023, the Board of Directors of Southern Company also increased the size of the Board of Directors of Southern Company from 13 to 14 in connection with the election of Womack to the Board.
In addition, the Board of Directors also announced the following executive appointments as part of the company's succession and management transition plan:
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Effective as of March 31, 2023, Kimberly S. (Kim) Greene, 56, has been named chair of the Board of Directors, CEO and president of Georgia Power.
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Effective immediately, Jeff Peoples, 63, has been named chairman of the Board of Directors, CEO and president of Alabama Power.
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Effective as of March 31, 2023, James Y. (Jim) Kerr II, 58, has been named chairman of the Board of Directors, CEO and president of Southern Company Gas.
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Effective as of March 31, 2023, Peter (Pete) P. Sena III, 59, has been named president of Southern Nuclear and remains as Chief Nuclear Officer. Stephen Kuczynski will remain chairman and CEO of Southern Nuclear.
