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Atlanta, July 27, 2010 — Southern Co. Chairman, President and CEO David M. Ratcliffe announced he will retire December 1. As part of the company’s succession and management transition plan, Ratcliffe also announced a number of executive appointments.
Thomas A. Fanning, 53, currently the company’s chief operating officer, has been named president of Southern Co. effective August 1. Upon Ratcliffe’s retirement, Fanning will become chairman and CEO of Southern Co.
“During his nearly 30-year career with Southern Co. and its subsidiaries, Tom has demonstrated the technical and financial capabilities and the strategic vision needed to guide this company during a period of unprecedented capital expansion and growth,” said Ratcliffe. “Moreover, his leadership and team-building qualities will be crucial assets as he navigates a challenging, evolving energy landscape.”
Since joining Southern Co. in 1980 as a financial analyst, Fanning has held numerous officer-level positions in the areas of finance, strategy, international business development and technology.
Prior to becoming executive vice president and chief operating officer in 2008, he was Southern Co.’s chief financial officer. Fanning also served as president and CEO of the company’s Florida unit, Gulf Power, and chief financial officer of subsidiaries Georgia Power and Mississippi Power.
In addition, the following leadership changes were announced, effective August 13:
Art P. Beattie, 56, has been named executive vice president and chief financial officer of Southern Co., where he will oversee the company’s accounting, finance, tax, investor relations, treasury and risk management functions.
W. Paul Bowers, 53, currently Southern Co.’s chief financial officer, has been named chief operating officer of Georgia Power. Bowers will oversee that company’s operations, customer service, financial, legal, external affairs and nuclear development functions. He will remain an executive vice president of Southern Co. and continue to serve on the Southern Co. management council.
Anthony J. Topazi, 60, has been named executive vice president and chief operating officer of Southern Co., succeeding Fanning. In this role, Topazi will have responsibility for Southern Co. Generation, Southern Power and Southern Co. Transmission.
Edward Day, VI, 50, will succeed Topazi as president and CEO of Mississippi Power, which provides retail electric service to about 200,000 customers across the southeastern region of the state. In addition, the company sells wholesale power to multiple electric power associations and cooperatives in Mississippi.
With 4.4 million customers and more than 42,000 MW of generating capacity, Atlanta-based Southern Co. is an energy company serving the Southeast. Southern Co. owns electric utilities in four states and a growing competitive generation company, as well as fiber optics and wireless communications.
