Sandy Sims has been selected to serve as Gulf Power’s new Eastern District general manager. 

Sims will be responsible for Gulf Power’s customer service and sales operations in the Eastern District, including Panama City, Panama City Beach and Chipley. 

She will be replacing John Ed McDanal, who served as Gulf Power’s Eastern District manager since 2009 and will be retiring on March 1 after 34 years of service to Gulf Power customers. 

Sims has served Gulf Power customers for more than 30 years in various positions in engineering, marketing and customer service. She was the Central District manager from 2005 to 2008, serving Okaloosa and Walton counties, and most recently served as Gulf Power's Community Relations manager overseeing the company’s strategic community support of charitable activities, and community engagement.

“The Panama City area is experiencing some exciting growth,” Sims said. “I’m looking forward to taking on the challenge of meeting the needs of the customers in the area, and working with our communities and customers to help facilitate the progress of this beautiful and thriving part of Northwest Florida.”

Sims has served on numerous boards in Okaloosa and Escambia counties, including two terms as chair of the board of trustees for Northwest Florida State College. She currently serves as immediate past-chair of the board for WSRE TV Foundation, is a founding board member and chair of IMPACT 100 of Northwest Florida and as chair of the White-Wilson Community Foundation. 

Sims plans to participate in local economic development activities, chambers of commerce and other charitable activities, such as United Way in the Bay County area. 

Gulf Power Company is an investor-owned electric utility with all of its common stock owned by Atlanta-based Southern Company. Gulf Power serves more than 436,000 customers in eight counties throughout Northwest Florida. The company’s mission is to safely provide exceptional customer value by delivering reliable, affordable and environmentally responsible electricity while strengthening our communities. Visit online at MyGulfPower.com or on the company’s Facebook page, “Gulf Power Company.” News information can be found at GulfPowerNews.com.

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