Portrait

Christopher C. Womack, Chairman of the Board, President and Chief Executive Officer of Southern Company

Director Highlights

Mr. Womack’s qualifications include operating company CEO experience, power delivery experience and human resources experience. His extensive knowledge of the Company, its customers and communities based on more than 35 years of service, as well as his external affairs and government policy expertise, are valuable to the Board.

Age: 67

Director since: 2023

Board committees: None

Other public company directorships: Invesco Ltd.

  • Mr. Womack was named President, effective March 2023; Chief Executive Officer, effective May 2023; and Chairman of the Board, effective December 2023. He has held numerous leadership positions across the Southern Company system, most recently serving as Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of Georgia Power since June 2021 and President of Georgia Power since November 2020. Prior to that, Mr. Womack served as Executive Vice President and President of External Affairs of the Company from January 2009 to October 2020. Mr. Womack joined Southern Company in 1988 and has served as executive vice president of external affairs at Georgia Power and senior vice president and senior production officer of Southern Company Generation, where he was responsible for coal, gas, and hydro generation for Georgia Power and Savannah Electric, a subsidiary of Southern Company that merged into Georgia Power in 2006. Mr. Womack also served as senior vice president of human resources and chief people officer at Southern Company, as well as senior vice president of public relations and corporate services at Alabama Power.
  • Prior to joining Southern Company, Mr. Womack worked on Capitol Hill for the U.S. House of Representatives in Washington D.C. He served as a legislative aide for former Congressman Leon E. Panetta and as staff director for the Subcommittee on Personnel and Police for the Committee on House Administration.
  • Prior to joining Southern Company, Mr. Womack worked on Capitol Hill for the U.S. House of Representatives in Washington D.C. He served as a legislative aide for former Congressman Leon E. Panetta and as staff director for the Subcommittee on Personnel and Police for the Committee on House Administration.
  • Mr. Womack is a Director of Invesco Ltd., where he serves on the Audit Committee, the Nomination and Corporate Governance Committee and the Compensation Committee. Mr. Womack served on the Board of Essential Utilities, Inc. until 2023.
  • Mr. Womack also serves on the Board of Georgia Ports Authority. He is past chair of the Board of the East Lake Foundation and is on the national Board of The First Tee. Mr. Womack previously chaired the Atlanta Convention and Visitors Bureau Board and the Atlanta Sports Council.
Portrait

Janaki Akella, Former Digital Transformation Leader, Google LLC

Director Highlights

Dr. Akella’s qualifications include electrical engineering experience and knowledge, global business technology, data and analytics expertise and cybersecurity and artificial intelligence matters knowledge. Her understanding and involvement with technology market disruptions is particularly valuable to the Board as the Southern Company system continues to develop innovative business strategies.

Age: 64

Director since: 2019

Board committees: Business Security and Resiliency (Chair); Audit

Other public company directorships: SLM Corporation

  • Dr. Akella served as the Digital Transformation Leader of Google LLC, a multinational technology company specializing in internet-related products, from 2017 until March 2023. At Google, Dr. Akella addressed challenges and complex technical issues arising from new technologies and new business models.
  • Prior to joining Google, Dr. Akella held a number of leadership positions during a 17-year career at McKinsey & Company, where she most recently served as principal. She led and contributed to over 100 consulting engagements in North America, Europe, Asia and Latin America with multiple project teams and client executives. She began her career with Hewlett-Packard as a member of the system technology technical staff, engineer scientist and technical contributor.
  • She currently serves on the Board of SLM Corporation, commonly known as Sallie Mae, where she is a member of the Audit Committee and Operational and Compliance Risk Committee. She also serves on the Board of Fractal Analytics Limited, a private artificial intelligence company that helps businesses use data to improve decision-making, marketing and customer relationships, and averQ, Inc., a private company that provides risk management platforms to regulated financial services companies.
  • She previously served on the Boards of the Guindy College of Engineering North American Alumni and the Churchill Club.
Portrait

Shantella E. Cooper, Founder and Chief Executive Officer of Journey Forward Strategies, LLC

Director Highlights

Ms. Cooper’s qualifications include more than 30 years of talent development and executive leadership experience working with Fortune 500 corporations, private companies and the non-profit sector. Ms. Cooper’s expertise in developing sustainable people-focused business strategies is valuable to the Board.

Age: 57

Director since: 2023

Board committee: Business Security and Resiliency; Nominating, Governance and Corporate Responsibility

Other public company directorships: Intercontinental Exchange and SouthState Corporation

  • Ms. Cooper is Founder and Chief Executive Officer of Journey Forward Strategies, a solutions-focused consulting firm specializing in leadership development and organizational effectiveness. With over 30 years of experience and expertise, Ms. Cooper delivers sustainable results for her clients, while excelling in the areas of executive coaching, leadership and culture development and business transformation. Ms. Cooper also serves as a senior advisor, and was previously an external executive coach, to McKinsey & Company.
  • Ms. Cooper served as Executive Director for the Atlanta Committee for Progress (ACP) from 2019 to 2022. ACP is a partnership between the city’s top business, civic and academic leaders and the Mayor of Atlanta to support economic growth and inclusion.
  • She served as Chief Transformation Officer of WestRock from 2016 to 2019 where she developed infrastructure and processes essential for business growth via mergers and acquisitions. She also led divisions such as Recycling and Waste Services, Enterprise Logistics, Global Procurement and Information Technology. From 2002 to 2016, she served in several roles at Lockheed Martin, including Vice President and General Manager, Vice President of Human Resources and Vice President of Business Ethics.
  • Ms. Cooper currently serves on the Board of Intercontinental Exchange, Inc., where she is the chair of the Risk Committee and a member of the Compensation Committee, and SouthState Corporation, where she is a member of the Risk Committee and the Governance and Nominating Committee. She served on the Board of Directors for Veritiv Corporation until 2023.
  • She serves on the Board of Directors for Grady Memorial Hospital Corporation and the Board of Trustees for Emory University as well as several other Atlanta-area boards supporting technology, research and education. Ms. Cooper has been recognized for her expertise in workforce and leadership development by numerous publications and organizations.
Portrait

Anthony F. “Tony” Earley, Jr., Lead Independent Director
Chairman, President and Chief Executive Officer, PG&E Corporation (retired)

Director Highlights

Mr. Earley’s qualifications include public company CEO experience and energy industry expertise including nuclear regulation, generation and technology, as well as cybersecurity matters, environmental matters and major capital projects. His experience as the president and chief executive officer of energy companies and his involvement in electric industry-wide research and development programs are valuable to the Board.

Age: 75

Director since: 2019

Board committee: Operations, Environmental and Safety

Other public company directorships: None

  • Mr. Earley served as Chairman, President and Chief Executive Officer of PG&E Corporation, a public utility holding company providing natural gas and electric services, from 2011 until February 2017, when he became Executive Chairman. He served as Executive Chairman until his retirement from PG&E in December 2017. On January 29, 2019, PG&E Corporation and its subsidiary Pacific Gas and Electric Company filed voluntary petitions for relief under Chapter 11 of the United States Bankruptcy Code as a result of wildfire claims in California.
  • Before joining PG&E, Mr. Earley served in several executive leadership roles during his 17 years at DTE Energy, including Executive Chairman, Chairman and Chief Executive Officer. Prior to joining DTE Energy in March 1994, he served in various capacities at Long Island Lighting Company, including President and Chief Operating Officer. He was a partner at the Hunton & Williams LLP law firm as a member of the energy and environmental team. He also served as an officer in the U.S. Navy nuclear submarine program where he was qualified as a chief engineer.
  • He served on the Board of Ford Motor Company until 2022. He also previously served on the Boards of, DTE Energy, PG&E Corporation, Comerica Incorporated, Masco Corporation and Long Island Lighting Company.
  • He previously served on the executive committees of the Edison Electric Institute and the Nuclear Energy Institute and served on the Board of the Electric Power Research Institute.
Portrait

James O. "Jimmy" Etheredge, Managing Director at Monarch Private Capital and former Chief Executive Officer - North America, Accenture plc

Director Highlights

Mr. Etheredge’s qualifications include CEO experience, technology and innovation expertise, accounting and cybersecurity experience and a deep understanding of the customer experience in the utility industry. Mr. Etheredge’s leadership experience, his broad knowledge of industries within our regional service territories and his experience with innovative solutions are of significant value to the Board.

Age: 61

Director since: 2025

Board committee: None

Other public company directorships: None

  • Mr. Etheredge served as Chief Executive Officer – North America of Accenture plc, a global multinational professional services company, leading the company’s largest market (U.S. and Canada) from September 2019 to August 2023, and as a special advisor to the CEO and Board until July 2024. His responsibilities as CEO - North America included driving results through an 80,000-member team and executing Accenture’s strategy and consulting, interactive, technology (including artificial intelligence, cloud and others) and operations practices.
  • From 2016 until September 2019, Mr. Etheredge was Senior Managing Director of U.S. Southeast, responsible for leading Accenture's business in ten states. In this role, he oversaw the firm's business across all consulting specialties and client industry segments within the region and during this time he extended Accenture's innovation hub network by creating an innovation incubator at the Georgia Institute of Technology.
  • Mr. Etheredge joined Accenture in 1985, became a partner in 1997 and an executive partner in 2011. During his career at Accenture, Mr. Etheredge advised clients in the utilities industry both in the U.S. and worldwide with a focus on customer service and customer care.
  • Mr. Etheredge serves as Deputy Chair of the Federal Reserve Bank of Atlanta, where he is a member of the Audit and Risk Committee. He is a member of the Board of Encora Digital LLC, a private global digital engineering company. He is part of the governance body for Grant Thornton Advisors and its tax and advisory affiliates, serving as an attendee of the General Partner of Grant Thornton Advisor’s parent.
  • He also serves as a trustee of the Georgia Tech Foundation and Woodruff Arts Center and on the boards of the Atlanta Police Foundation, Techbridge and the Atlanta Area Council of Scouting America.
Portrait

David J. Grain, Founder and Chief Executive Officer, Grain Management, LLC (Grain Management)

Director Highlights

Mr. Grain’s qualifications include CEO experience, capital allocation expertise, financial expertise, major capital projects knowledge and experience, technology innovations knowledge and experience and risk management experience. Mr. Grain’s knowledge and involvement managing large and small businesses and raising and managing investor capital, particularly in a regulated industry, is also valuable to the Board.

Age: 62

Director since: 2012

Board committee:Nominating, Governance and Corporate Responsibility (Chair); Compensation and Talent Development

Other public company directorships: Dell Technologies and New Fortress Energy Inc.

  • Mr. Grain is the Founder, Chief Executive Officer and Managing Director of Grain Management, a private equity firm focused on global investments in the media and communications sectors, which he founded in 2006. With headquarters in Washington, D.C. and offices in New York City, New York, Sarasota, Florida and London, England, the firm manages capital for a number of the world’s leading academic endowments, public pension funds and foundations.
  • Mr. Grain also founded and was Chief Executive Officer of Grain Communications Group, Inc.
  • Prior to founding Grain Management, he served as President of Global Signal, Inc., Senior Vice President of AT&T Broadband’s New England Region and Executive Director in the High Yield Finance Department at Morgan Stanley.
  • Mr. Grain was appointed by President Obama in 2011 and again in 2024 by President Biden to the National Infrastructure Advisory Council.
  • He previously served as Chairman of the Florida State Board of Administration Investment Advisory Council as an appointee of former Governor Charlie Crist, where he provided independent oversight of the state board’s funds and major investment responsibilities, including investments for the Florida Retirement System programs.
  • Mr. Grain is a Director of Dell Technologies, where he is a member of the Audit Committee, and New Fortress Energy, Inc. Previously, he was a director of Catalyst Partners Acquisition Corporation (a special purpose acquisition corporation) until 2023.
  • He is currently a member of the Dartmouth College Board of Trustees and is a Trustee of the Brookings Institution.
Portrait

Donald M. James, Chairman of the Board and Chief Executive Officer of Vulcan Materials Company (retired)

Director Highlights

Mr. James’ qualifications include public company CEO experience, a legal background as a former public company general counsel and an understanding of corporate governance, risk management, major capital projects and environmental matters. Mr. James brings important perspectives on management, operations and strategy from his experience as the former chief executive officer of a public company.

Age: 76

Director since: 1999

Board committee: Audit; Compensation and Talent Development; Finance

Other public company directorships: None

  • Mr. James joined Vulcan Materials Company, a producer of aggregate and aggregate-based construction materials, in 1992 as Senior Vice President and General Counsel. He became President of the Southern Division, followed by Senior Vice President of the Construction Materials Group, and then President and Chief Operating Officer. In 1997, he was elected Chairman and Chief Executive Officer. Mr. James retired from his position as Chief Executive Officer in 2014 and as Non-Executive Chairman and from the Board in 2015.
  • Prior to joining Vulcan Materials Company, Mr. James was a partner at the law firm of Bradley, Arant, Rose & White for 10 years.
  • Mr. James serves as Chairman of New Frontier Materials, a private company in the construction materials industry.
  • Mr. James served as a director of Wells Fargo & Company until 2020. He is also a former director of Vulcan Materials Company, Protective Life Corporation, SouthTrust Corporation and Wachovia Corporation.
  • Mr. James is a Trustee of Children’s of Alabama, where he serves on the Executive Committee and the Compensation Committee.
Portrait

John D. Johns, Senior Advisor at Blackstone Inc. (Blackstone) and former Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of Protective Life Corporation (Protective Life)

Director Highlights

Mr. Johns’ qualifications include public company CEO experience, financial expertise, capital allocation experience and risk management experience in a highly-regulated industry. His legal background as the former general counsel of a large energy public holding company that included natural gas operations and his prior service for over a decade on the Board of Directors of Alabama Power are also of significant value to the Board.

Age: 73

Director since: 2015

Board committee: Finance (Chair); Nominating, Governance and Corporate Responsibility

Other public company directorships: Genuine Parts Company

  • Mr. Johns has served as a Senior Advisor at Blackstone, an investment firm, since April 2022.
  • He retired in 2020 as Chairman, DLI North America Inc., the oversight company for Protective Life, a provider of financial services through insurance and investment products.
  • He served as Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of Protective Life from 2002 to 2017 and President from 2002 to January 2016. He joined Protective Life in 1993 as Executive Vice President and Chief Financial Officer.
  • Before his tenure at Protective Life, Mr. Johns served as general counsel of Sonat, Inc., a diversified energy company.
  • Prior to joining Sonat, Inc., Mr. Johns was a founding partner of the law firm Maynard, Cooper & Gale, P.C.
  • He previously served on the Board of Directors of Alabama Power from 2004 to 2015. During his tenure on the Alabama Power Board, he was a member of the Nominating and Executive Committees.
  • Mr. Johns serves on the Board of Genuine Parts Company, where he is Lead Independent Director and is a member of the Compensation and Human Capital Committee and the Executive Committee. He served as a director of Regions Financial Corporation until 2024.
  • Mr. Johns has served on the Executive Committee of the Financial Services Roundtable in Washington, D.C. and is a past chairman of the American Council of Life Insurers.
  • Mr. Johns has served as the Chairman of the Business Council of Alabama, the Birmingham Business Alliance, the Greater Alabama Council of Scouting America and Innovation Depot, Alabama’s leading business and technology incubator.
Portrait

Dale E. Klein, Reese Endowed Professor in the Cockrell School of Engineering at the University of Texas at Austin and former Commissioner and Chairman, U.S. Nuclear Regulatory Commission

Director Highlights

Dr. Klein’s qualifications include expertise in nuclear energy research, regulation, safety and technology, as well as experience in environmental matters and governmental affairs. His senior leadership skills demonstrated as the Chairman of the U.S. Nuclear Regulatory Commission are also important to the Board.

Age: 77

Director since: 2010

Board committee: Operations, Environmental and Safety (Chair); Business Security and Resiliency; Compensation and Talent Development

Other public company directorships: None

  • Dr. Klein was Commissioner from 2006 to 2010 and Chairman from 2006 through 2009 of the U.S. Nuclear Regulatory Commission, the federal agency responsible for regulation of nuclear reactor materials and safety. He also served as Assistant to the Secretary of Defense for Nuclear, Chemical and Biological Defense Programs from 2001 through 2006.
  • Dr. Klein has more than 45 years of experience in the nuclear energy industry. Dr. Klein is a member of the National Academy of Engineering.
  • Dr. Klein began his career at the University of Texas in 1977 as a professor of mechanical engineering, which included a focus on the university’s nuclear program. He spent over 35 years in various teaching and leadership positions, including Director of the nuclear engineering teaching laboratory, Associate Dean for research and administration in the College of Engineering and Vice Chancellor for special engineering programs. He currently serves as a Professor in the Cockrell School of Engineering and holds the Reese Endowed Professorship at the University of Texas at Austin.
  • He served on the Audit and Nuclear and Operating Committees of Pinnacle West Capital Corporation, an Arizona energy company, and was a member of the Board of Pinnacle West Capital Corporation’s principal subsidiary, Arizona Public Service Company, until 2023. Dr. Klein serves on the private company boards of AVANTech and Los Alamos Technical Associates.
Portrait

David E. Meador, Vice Chairman and Chief Administrative Officer of DTE Energy (retired)

Director Highlights

Mr. Meador’s qualifications include public energy company experience and expertise in the energy sector, including financial, information technology, manufacturing, procurement, and corporate and public affairs. Mr. Meador’s extensive involvement in economic and workforce development, corporate culture and government and community relations are all of value to the Board.

Age: 68

Director since: 2023

Board committees: Audit; Operations, Environmental, and Safety

Other public company directorships: None

  • Mr. Meador served as Vice Chairman and Chief Administrative Officer of DTE Energy, a diversified energy company involved in the development and management of energy-related businesses and services, from 2014 until 2022. In his 25 years at DTE Energy, he served in several executive leadership positions, including Executive Vice President and Chief Financial Officer.
  • With over 40 years of experience in the manufacturing and energy sectors, Mr. Meador is a recognized expert in finance and accounting, business strategy, governance, sustainability, mergers and acquisitions, government and community relations, procurement and information technology.
  • Prior to joining DTE Energy, he served in a variety of financial and accounting positions at Chrysler Corporation for 14 years and was an auditor with Coopers & Lybrand.
  • Mr. Meador previously served on the Boards of Amerisure Mutual Insurance, Landauer, Inc. and Energy Insurance Mutual. Mr. Meador led the creation, and is the current Executive Director, of the Detroit Regional CEO Group. He currently serves on several non-profit boards supporting workforce and economic development, human services and education.
Portrait

William G. Smith, Jr., Chairman of the Board, President and Chief Executive Officer of Capital City Bank Group, Inc.

Director Highlights

Mr. Smith’s qualifications include public company CEO experience, finance and capital allocation expertise, risk management expertise and audit and financial reporting experience. Mr. Smith contributes valuable perspectives on management, operations and regulatory compliance from his experience as the chief executive officer of a public company in a highly-regulated industry.

Age: 71

Director since: 2006

Lead Independent Director: 2012-2014

Board committee: Audit (Chair)

Other public company directorships: Capital City Bank Group, Inc.

  • Mr. Smith began his career at Capital City Bank, a publicly-traded financial holding company providing a full range of banking services, in 1978, where he worked in a number of positions of increasing responsibility before being elected President and Chief Executive Officer of Capital City Bank Group, Inc. in January 1989. He was elected Chairman of the Board of the Capital City Bank Group, Inc. in 2003. He is also the Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of Capital City Bank.
  • Mr. Smith previously served on the Board of Directors of the Federal Reserve Bank of Atlanta and First National Bankers Bank.
  • Mr. Smith is the former Federal Advisory Council Representative for the Sixth District of the Federal Reserve System and past Chair of Tallahassee Memorial and the Tallahassee Area Chamber of Commerce.
  • Mr. Smith served as the Company’s Lead Independent Director from 2012 to 2014.
Portrait

Kristine L. Svinicki, Adjunct Professor, University of Michigan and former Commissioner and Chairman, U.S. Nuclear Regulatory Commission

Director Highlights

Ms. Svinicki’s qualifications include nuclear energy and technology expertise and federal and state energy policy expertise. As a former Chairman of the U.S. Nuclear Regulatory Commission, she has vast experience and insight into nuclear regulation and generation, as well as environmental and cybersecurity matters. Ms. Svinicki’s leadership skills, contributions to U.S. nuclear energy policies and extensive nuclear energy knowledge are of significant value to the Board.

Age: 58

Director since: 2021

Board committee: Business Security and Resiliency; Operations, Environmental and Safety

Other public company directorships: Pinnacle West Capital Corporation and its wholly-owned subsidiary Arizona Public Service Company

  • Ms. Svinicki was appointed a member of the U.S. Nuclear Regulatory Commission, the federal agency responsible for regulation of nuclear reactor materials and safety, by three U.S. Presidents, becoming that organization’s longest-serving member. She served as a Commissioner from 2008 until 2017 and then served as Chairman from 2017 to 2021.
  • Prior to her tenure on the U.S. Nuclear Regulatory Commission, Ms. Svinicki spent over a decade as a staff member in the U.S. Senate working on issues related to national security, science and technology, and energy and the environment. She also served as a professional staff member on the Senate Armed Services Committee where she was responsible for the committee’s portfolio of defense science and technology programs and policies, and for the atomic energy defense activities of the U.S. Department of Energy, including nuclear weapons, nuclear security and environmental programs.
  • Previously, Ms. Svinicki served as a nuclear engineer in the U.S. Department of Energy’s Washington, D.C. offices of Nuclear Energy, Science and Technology, and of Civilian Radioactive Waste Management, as well as its Idaho Operations Office, in Idaho Falls, Idaho.
  • Ms. Svinicki serves on the Audit, Finance and Nuclear and Operating Committees of Pinnacle West Capital Corporation, an Arizona energy company, and is a member of the Board of Pinnacle West Capital Corporation’s principal subsidiary, Arizona Public Service Company.
  • Ms. Svinicki is a longstanding member of the American Nuclear Society and serves on the Board of TerraPower LLC, a nuclear innovation company.
  • Ms. Svinicki currently serves as an adjunct professor of nuclear engineering and radiological sciences at the University of Michigan. She also serves on the National Academy of Sciences, Engineering and Medicine’s committee to address specific issues related to nuclear terrorism threats.
Portrait

Lizanne Thomas, Partner, Jones Day (retired)

Director Highlights

Ms. Thomas’ qualifications include mergers and public and private acquisitions expertise as well as corporate governance and stockholder activism experience. Her legal background and extensive governance work with publicly traded companies across a wide spectrum of industries are all of value to the Board.

Age: 67

Director since: 2023

Board committees: Compensation and Talent Development (Chair); Nominating, Governance and Corporate Responsibility; Finance

Other public company directorships: Logility Supply Chain Solutions, Inc.

  • Ms. Thomas retired at the end of 2023 as Partner and the Chair of the Governance and Activism practice of the global law firm Jones Day after 41 years of service. In addition to leading the firm’s corporate governance and activism practice, she has substantial experience in public company mergers and acquisitions, having led many of the firm’s multi-billion dollar transactions. Ms. Thomas served in various senior management roles at Jones Day, including most recently as Partner-in-Charge of the firm’s Southeast U.S. Region from 2014 through 2022.
  • She currently serves on the Board of Logility Supply Chain Solutions, Inc. (formerly American Software, Inc.), where she chairs the Governance Committee and also serves on the Audit and the Compensation Committees. She previously served on the Boards of Popeyes Louisiana Kitchen, Inc., Atlantic Capital Bancshares and Krispy Kreme Doughnuts, Inc. In 2016, Ms. Thomas was named one of the top 100 directors by the National Association of Corporate Directors.
  • Ms. Thomas is a Fellow of the American College of Governance Lawyers and is Chair of the Georgia Research Alliance. She also serves on the Board of Trustees of Furman University and the Lettie Pate Evans Foundation.

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