Southern Company announces new executive leader

Nancy Sykes has been named executive vice president and chief human resources officer of Southern Company Services, providing direction to the overall enterprise. Sykes joins Southern Company from U.S. Steel, where she has served as vice president and chief human resources officer since 2015. There, she was responsible for all facets of the company's human resources organization, including employee development, talent management, talent acquisition and medical and health services.

Sykes will report directly to Chairman, President and CEO Thomas A. Fanning. She will be responsible for managing the human resources and labor relations function for Southern Company and all of its subsidiaries. She will also be charged with developing and implementing human capital strategies to attract, engage and motivate the current workforce and the workforce of the future.

"At Southern Company, our focus on developing successful employees is critical to how we serve our customers and our communities," Fanning said. "Our commitment to that core value is a driving force behind everything we do. It's one of the keys to 'how' we build the future of energy. Nancy brings a wealth of experience and knowledge to our leadership team, and we look forward to her arrival."

Sykes joined U.S. Steel after spending more than five years with The Goodyear Tire and Rubber Company.  Her last role at Goodyear was vice president for human resources, Asia Pacific, with responsibility of all aspects of human resources for the company's Asia Pacific strategic business unit across 12 countries. 

Prior to joining Goodyear, Sykes spent 20 years at General Electric.  In 2005, she was named global human resources leader for GE Water & Process Technologies, and in 2007 she assumed the role of global human resources leader for GE Intelligent Platforms. 

Sykes is a native of Binghamton, N.Y., and graduated from Rochester Institute of Technology with a bachelor's degree in mechanical engineering.  She is also a certified Six Sigma Black Belt in human resources. 

About Southern Company

Southern Company (NYSE: SO) is America's premier energy company, with 44,000 megawatts of generating capacity and 1,500 billion cubic feet of combined natural gas consumption and throughput volume serving 9 million electric and gas utility customers through its subsidiaries. The company provides clean, safe, reliable and affordable energy through electric utilities in four states, natural gas distribution utilities in seven states, a competitive generation company serving wholesale customers across America and a nationally recognized provider of customized energy solutions, as well as fiber optics and wireless communications. Southern Company brands are known for excellent customer service, high reliability and affordable prices that are below the national average. Through an industry-leading commitment to innovation, Southern Company and its subsidiaries are inventing America's energy future by developing the full portfolio of energy resources, including carbon-free nuclear, 21^st century coal, natural gas, renewables and energy efficiency, and creating new products and services for the benefit of customers. Southern Company has been named by the U.S. Department of Defense and G.I. Jobs magazine as a top military employer, recognized among the Top 50 Companies for Diversity by DiversityInc, listed by Black Enterprise magazine as one of the 40 Best Companies for Diversity and designated a Top Employer for Hispanics by Hispanic Network. The company has earned a National Award of Nuclear Science and History from the National Atomic Museum Foundation for its leadership and commitment to nuclear development and is continually ranked among the top utilities in Fortune's annual World's Most Admired Electric and Gas Utility rankings. Visit our website at www.southerncompany.com.

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SOURCE Southern Company

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