Georgia Power Names Stan Connally New CEO
The Southern Company executive will take the helm of the utility on January 1.
Updated on Oct. 30, 2026 in People
Live Poll
Should utility companies prioritize grid expansion for data centers if it affects residential customer rates?
Georgia Power has appointed Southern Company chief operating officer Stan Connally as its new chairman, president, and chief executive. He is scheduled to assume the leadership position on January 1, 2027.
Why it matters
The leadership change arrives as Georgia Power expands its grid infrastructure, including gas plants, solar, and battery storage, to meet the high electricity demands of growing data centers. The utility is also working to implement protections aimed at shielding customers from the costs of this infrastructure expansion.
Georgia Power has implemented six customer bill hikes over the last three years. The utility recently agreed to a freeze on base rates as it continues to manage costs across its service area.
The players
Stan Connally
He currently serves as the chief operating officer for Southern Company and is set to become the CEO of Georgia Power.
Kim Greene
She previously led Southern Company Gas and is moving into the role of president of Southern Company Operations.
Georgia Power
This electric utility operates primarily in Georgia and is a subsidiary of the larger Southern Company.
Southern Company
This energy company owns electric utilities across Alabama, Georgia, and Mississippi while operating wholesale power and nuclear units.
The details
In addition to the appointment of Stan Connally, the company announced that Kim Greene will become president of Southern Company Operations. Other leadership shifts include Sterling Spainhour leading the technology organization and Sloane Drake managing systemwide training.
Timeline
October 30, 2026: Management changes were officially announced.
January 1, 2027: Stan Connally will begin his tenure as CEO.
Market Landscape
This leadership transition occurs amidst a period of significant regulatory and political scrutiny, following the departure of two Georgia Public Service Commissioners last year. The company is now positioning itself to balance infrastructure growth with customer rate protections.
Customers may experience more stability following the utility's recent agreement to freeze base rates and lower bills. The company's new focus on infrastructure is designed to accommodate data center demand while managing the costs passed on to residential users.
The takeaway
The appointment of a new CEO highlights the utility's strategic pivot toward balancing rapid grid expansion with regulatory compliance. Residents should monitor future rate filings as the company attempts to integrate new data center infrastructure without further increasing consumer costs.
Further reading
For more on shifts within the utility sector, visit the People section.
Source note: This article includes information reported by The Atlanta Journal-Constitution.
Live Poll
Should utility companies prioritize grid expansion for data centers if it affects residential customer rates?
