Birmingham, Ala., June 5 ­- Mark Crosswhite, chairman, president and CEO of Alabama Power Co., has been elected chairman of the Economic Development Partnership of Alabama’s Board of Directors.

“I’m honored to chair EDPA’s board,” Crosswhite said. “The leadership of EDPA shares a strong commitment to build on Alabama’s economic development success.

“Through EDPA, the business community in Alabama strives to be a catalyst for economic growth,” Crosswhite added. “We are working every day to attract companies to the state and find ways to collaborate on issues important to job retention and creation.”

EDPA was formed in 1991 by business leaders who saw a need and shared a vision to make Alabama more competitive, so the state could compete on a global stage for major economic development projects.

A private, non-profit organization, EDPA represents the private sector’s contributions to economic development and is uniquely positioned to partner with the state and local governments, as well as nonprofit organizations and associations involved in Alabama’s economic development efforts. The Partnership has been a key player in recruiting companies such as Mercedes-Benz, Boeing, Honda, Thyssenkrupp, Hyundai and Airbus to Alabama, adding thousands of jobs and billions of dollars to Alabama’s economic base.

“Economic development has been a part of Alabama Power’s legacy for more than 100 years, and EDPA has been integral to Alabama’s economic development effort for nearly 25 years,” Crosswhite said. “I look forward to working with our allies throughout the state to expand economic opportunity to Alabama communities.”

Crosswhite became Alabama Power’s chief executive on March 1, succeeding Charles McCrary who retired after nearly 13 years in that role. Before taking the helm at Alabama Power, Crosswhite served as executive vice president and chief operating officer for Southern Company, Alabama Power’s parent company.

Crosswhite started at Southern Company in 2004 as senior vice president and general counsel for Southern Company Generation. Before then he was a partner in the law firm of Balch & Bingham LLP in Birmingham, Ala., where he practiced in the Energy Section for 17 years.

In 2006, Crosswhite joined Alabama Power as senior vice president and counsel, where he oversaw the company’s legal matters. In 2008, he was named executive vice president for external affairs, where he directed regulatory affairs, economic and community development, public relations, environmental affairs, and governmental affairs.

A native of Decatur, Crosswhite received a bachelor’s degree in 1984 from the University of Alabama in Huntsville and a J.D. degree in 1987 from the University of Alabama School of Law. He and his wife, Jane Emily, have two sons.

 “Mark Crosswhite shares our vision for economic development and belief that the business community has an important role in bringing jobs and investment to the state,” said EDPA President Bill Taylor. “EDPA is fortunate to have his leadership and expertise as we continue our contribution to Alabama’s economic development team.”

About Alabama Power:  Alabama Power, a subsidiary of Atlanta-based Southern Company (NYSE:SO), provides reliable, affordable electricity to more than 1.4 million customers across the state.

About the Economic Development Partnership of Alabama: The non-profit Partnership represents the private sector’s contribution to economic development in Alabama. Funded by more than 70 leading companies invested in the state’s long-term economic success, EDPA provides leadership and services that recruit new businesses to the state, retain existing businesses and renew Alabama’s economy by encouraging innovation both within existing industries and through the commercialization of new technologies. www.edpa.org