Southern Company Executive and Leadership Team

November, 2026

Leadership Overview

Southern Company has 10 executives leading key functions including strategy, operations, finance, human resources, and technology.

Committed to reliable energy delivery, Southern Company advances sustainable power solutions while maintaining a robust infrastructure to serve millions of customers across the United States.

Leadership Roles at Southern Company

  • Chairman, President & Chief Executive Officer - Chris Womack
  • Executive VP & Chief Financial Officer - David Poroch
  • Executive VP & Chief Operating Officer - Stan Connally
  • Chief of Staff - Lewis Hensley
  • Manager, Chief Marketing Officer - Sean Krawiecki
  • Executive VP & Chief Human Resources Officer - Sloane Drake
  • Vice President and Gas Technology Chief Information Officer - Daniel Mikkelsen
  • Executive VP & Chief Legal Officer - Sterling Spainhour
  • Chief Information Technology Officer - Hans Brown
  • Executive Assistant, Thomas Fanning - Vicki Grimsley
  • Chris Womack - Chairman, President & Chief Executive Officer

    Chris Womack, the Chairman, President & Chief Executive Officer at Southern Company, directs the overarching strategic vision for the entire energy portfolio. Overseeing the generation, transmission, and distribution of electricity and natural gas, the Chairman, President & Chief Executive Officer ensures alignment with long-term sustainability goals. This leadership role involves managing complex regulatory environments and driving large-scale capital investments across the United States. By fostering innovation in renewable energy projects, Chris Womack directly impacts the operational efficiency of the organization. Womack maintains constant communication with the Board to ensure fiscal responsibility and market competitiveness. Through this executive oversight, the company secures reliable energy access for millions of retail and wholesale customers. Ultimately, the Chairman, President & Chief Executive Officer stabilizes the corporate trajectory while navigating the evolving demands of the national energy landscape.
    Chris Womack

    David Poroch - Executive VP & Chief Financial Officer

    David Poroch, the Executive VP & Chief Financial Officer at Southern Company, manages the fiscal health and capital allocation strategies of the organization. Overseeing financial reporting and investor relations, the Executive VP & Chief Financial Officer ensures that the company maintains a strong balance sheet to support large-scale energy projects. This leadership role involves analyzing market trends to optimize the cost of capital for renewable energy investments. By directing the budgeting process, David Poroch drives financial discipline across all business units. Poroch collaborates with the Board to communicate the financial performance and growth prospects of the company to stakeholders. Through rigorous risk management, the Executive VP & Chief Financial Officer secures the long-term economic viability of the energy holding company. This function provides the necessary funding to maintain and expand infrastructure. Ultimately, Poroch ensures the financial stability required to deliver reliable electricity and natural gas services.
    David Poroch

    Stan Connally - Executive VP & Chief Operating Officer

    Stan Connally, the Executive VP & Chief Operating Officer at Southern Company, manages the technical execution of power generation and distribution systems. Overseeing the reliability of the grid, the Executive VP & Chief Operating Officer ensures that electricity and natural gas reach millions of customers without interruption. This leadership role involves optimizing the performance of power plants and transmission networks across the regional footprint. By implementing advanced maintenance protocols, Stan Connally drives operational excellence and safety standards. Connally coordinates with engineering teams to integrate renewable energy projects into the existing infrastructure. Through rigorous oversight of daily operations, the Executive VP & Chief Operating Officer maintains the stability of the energy supply chain. This position requires constant monitoring of performance metrics to ensure efficiency and cost-effectiveness. Ultimately, Connally secures the operational integrity of the company while meeting the high demand for energy services.
    Stan Connally

    Lewis Hensley - Chief of Staff

    Lewis Hensley, the Chief of Staff at Southern Company, coordinates executive workflows and facilitates cross-departmental collaboration. Managing the daily operations of the leadership office, the Chief of Staff ensures that strategic priorities receive immediate attention from the executive team. This role involves synthesizing complex data from various business units to support informed decision-making processes. By streamlining communication channels, Lewis Hensley enhances the agility of the organization in responding to market shifts. Hensley monitors the execution of corporate initiatives, ensuring that all departments remain focused on the core mission of providing reliable energy services. Through rigorous project management, the Chief of Staff aligns internal resources with the broader goals of the company. This position requires constant interaction with senior leadership to maintain operational cohesion. Ultimately, Hensley optimizes the internal structure to support the delivery of electricity and natural gas to millions of customers.

    Sean Krawiecki - Manager, Chief Marketing Officer

    Sean Krawiecki, the Manager, Chief Marketing Officer at Southern Company, architects the brand strategy and customer engagement initiatives for the energy portfolio. Overseeing market research and communication campaigns, the Manager, Chief Marketing Officer ensures that the value proposition of the company reaches diverse retail and wholesale segments. This leadership role involves analyzing consumer behavior to tailor energy service offerings across multiple states. By developing targeted outreach programs, Sean Krawiecki drives brand loyalty and public trust in the utility services provided. Krawiecki collaborates with operational teams to communicate the benefits of renewable energy projects to the public. Through strategic positioning, the Manager, Chief Marketing Officer enhances the market presence of the organization. This function supports the growth of the customer base while maintaining transparency regarding energy distribution. Ultimately, Krawiecki strengthens the connection between the company and the communities served through effective messaging and market analysis.

    Sloane Drake - Executive VP & Chief Human Resources Officer

    Sloane Drake, the Executive VP & Chief Human Resources Officer at Southern Company, directs the talent acquisition and organizational development strategies. Overseeing the workforce that supports energy generation and distribution, the Executive VP & Chief Human Resources Officer ensures that the company attracts and retains top-tier professionals. This leadership role involves designing training programs that align with the technical requirements of the energy industry. By fostering a culture of safety and innovation, Sloane Drake drives employee engagement across all regional operations. Drake collaborates with the executive team to implement performance management systems that support corporate growth. Through strategic workforce planning, the Executive VP & Chief Human Resources Officer ensures that the organization possesses the necessary expertise to manage complex infrastructure projects. This function maintains the human capital required to deliver reliable services. Ultimately, Drake builds a resilient workforce capable of meeting the evolving challenges of the energy sector.
    Sloane Drake

    Daniel Mikkelsen - Vice President and Gas Technology Chief Information Officer

    Daniel Mikkelsen, the Vice President and Gas Technology Chief Information Officer at Southern Company, architects the digital infrastructure specifically for natural gas operations. Overseeing the integration of smart grid technologies, the Vice President and Gas Technology Chief Information Officer ensures that data flows securely to support distribution efficiency. This leadership role involves managing the software systems that monitor gas pressure and pipeline integrity across the service territory. By deploying advanced analytics, Daniel Mikkelsen drives the modernization of gas delivery networks. Mikkelsen collaborates with engineering teams to automate monitoring processes, reducing downtime and enhancing safety. Through the implementation of robust cybersecurity measures, the Vice President and Gas Technology Chief Information Officer protects critical energy assets from digital threats. This function supports the overall reliability of the gas supply chain. Ultimately, Mikkelsen optimizes the technological backbone of the company to ensure consistent service delivery to millions of customers.
    Sterling Spainhour, the Executive VP & Chief Legal Officer at Southern Company, directs the legal strategy and regulatory compliance efforts for the energy portfolio. Overseeing the legal team, the Executive VP & Chief Legal Officer ensures that all operations adhere to federal and state energy regulations. This leadership role involves managing litigation, contract negotiations, and environmental compliance across the service territory. By providing counsel on complex regulatory filings, Sterling Spainhour drives the successful approval of renewable energy projects. Spainhour collaborates with the executive team to mitigate legal risks associated with infrastructure development. Through proactive legal management, the Executive VP & Chief Legal Officer protects the interests of the company and its shareholders. This function ensures that the organization operates within the framework of the law while pursuing growth. Ultimately, Spainhour secures the legal foundation necessary for the reliable delivery of electricity and natural gas services.
    Sterling Spainhour

    Hans Brown - Chief Information Technology Officer

    Hans Brown, the Chief Information Technology Officer at Southern Company, architects the enterprise-wide digital strategy and technology roadmap. Overseeing the IT infrastructure, the Chief Information Technology Officer ensures that the systems supporting energy generation and distribution remain secure and scalable. This leadership role involves managing the digital transformation of business processes to improve operational efficiency. By implementing cloud solutions and data management platforms, Hans Brown drives the modernization of the corporate technology stack. Brown collaborates with other C-suite leaders to align IT investments with the strategic goals of the company. Through the oversight of cybersecurity protocols, the Chief Information Technology Officer protects the integrity of the grid and corporate data. This function supports the technological needs of the entire organization. Ultimately, Brown ensures that the company leverages cutting-edge technology to maintain its position as a leader in the energy sector.
    Hans Brown

    Vicki Grimsley - Executive Assistant, Thomas Fanning

    Vicki Grimsley, the Executive Assistant, Thomas Fanning at Southern Company, coordinates the administrative functions and scheduling for senior leadership. Overseeing the flow of information to the executive office, the Executive Assistant, Thomas Fanning ensures that critical business matters receive timely attention. This role involves managing complex calendars and facilitating communication between the leadership team and external partners. By organizing high-level meetings, Vicki Grimsley supports the decision-making processes that drive the energy business. Grimsley maintains the confidentiality and integrity of executive communications, ensuring that strategic initiatives remain on track. Through meticulous attention to detail, the Executive Assistant, Thomas Fanning enhances the productivity of the leadership team. This position requires a deep understanding of the organizational structure to effectively manage executive priorities. Ultimately, Grimsley provides the administrative support necessary for the smooth operation of the company's executive functions.

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    Frequently Asked Questions Regarding Southern Company Top Executives and Leadership Team

    Who leads Southern Company?
    Southern Company is led by Chris Womack (Chairman, President & Chief Executive Officer), along with executives such as David Poroch (Executive VP & Chief Financial Officer) and Stan Connally (Executive VP & Chief Operating Officer).
    Who is part of Southern Company’s executive team?
    The executive team of Southern Company includes leaders such as Chris Womack (Chairman, President & Chief Executive Officer), David Poroch (Executive VP & Chief Financial Officer), Stan Connally (Executive VP & Chief Operating Officer) and other senior executives.
    How many executives does Southern Company have?
    Southern Company has 10 executives leading key business areas.
    What roles are included in Southern Company’s leadership team?
    The leadership team of Southern Company includes roles such as Chairman, President & Chief Executive Officer, Executive VP & Chief Financial Officer, Executive VP & Chief Operating Officer, Chief of Staff, Manager, Chief Marketing Officer.