ATLANTA, Oct. 27, 2015 /PRNewswire/ -- Southern Company has earned the Edison Electric Institute's (EEI) 2015 National Key Accounts Customer Service award for Outstanding Customer Service. This is the 12th time the company has been recognized for its delivery of exceptional service to customers.
"Southern Company's success is based on a fundamental commitment to put customers at the center of our business decisions," said Southern Company Chairman, President and CEO Thomas A. Fanning. "Every day, our dedicated employees use this customer-focused model to deliver value to the families and businesses we are privileged to serve."
In addition to the company's recognition, Regional Account Managers Janet K. Booker and Cynthia E. Verner were named two of six industrywide recipients of an individual National Key Accounts Executive Award for Outstanding Customer Service. Booker and Verner represent the company through engagement with national brands in the hospitality, home improvement, health care, grocery and discount sectors.
Southern Company's national accounts organization serves more than 100 large, multi-site customers representing approximately 30,000 accounts within the company's four-state service territory, with a focus on building strong relationships and delivering value.
Since its inception in 1988, EEI's National Key Accounts program has addressed the unique and growing needs of commercial customers with multiple sites or outlets, including chains and franchise operations. Through the National Key Accounts network of electric utilities, trade allies and industry leaders, these businesses gain a single point of contact at each utility that serves their company. Managers of national accounts offer a variety of valuable services, including expediting new service connections, providing information about rates and recommending energy-efficiency management strategies.
The Awards for Outstanding National Key Accounts Customer Service were established by the Customer Advisory Group, a group of 22 national chain customers that provides feedback, guidance and support to EEI's National Key Accounts program.
With more than 4.5 million customers and approximately 46,000 megawatts of generating capacity, Atlanta-based Southern Company (NYSE: SO) is the premier energy company serving the Southeast through its subsidiaries. A leading U.S. producer of clean, safe, reliable and affordable electricity, Southern Company owns electric utilities in four states and a growing competitive generation company, 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 nuclear, 21st 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, listed by Black Enterprise magazine as one of the 40 Best Companies for Diversity and designated a 2014 Top Employer for Hispanics by Hispanic Network. The company earned the 2014 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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