Southern Company announced several changes that will further strengthen its Information Resources, Power Generation and Marketing business units and enhance coordination among the three organizations. The changes involve promotions at the officer level of Southern Company Services (SCS), which provides marketing, strategic planning, technological, financial, engineering and other services to various Southern Company subsidiaries.

Robert Beason, vice president of computing and network services for Southern Company’s Information Resources business unit, has been named SCS senior vice president. He is the Chief Information Officer for Southern Company and is responsible for the information resources function, which includes all computer, telecommunications, information networks and overseeing associated strategies for Southern Company.

In Southern Company Generation, Doug Jones, director of business development for Southern Wholesale Energy (SWE), has been named SCS vice president. Jones has been an integral part of Southern Company’s wholesale marketing efforts since SWE was formed in 1996. His new responsibilities include business development, merchant functions, market analysis, contract administration, and finance and accounting support.

Also in Southern Company Generation, Charley Long, director of generation planning and development for Southern Company, has been named SCS vice president. Long’s responsibilities include developing plans and generation projects to meet future power generation requirements, conducting studies of existing generation systems, and providing analytical support for territorial and non-territorial marketing efforts.

In addition, two leaders in Southern Company’s marketing organization were named SCS officers, reflecting new roles that became effective in October.

Leonard Haynes, senior vice president of marketing at Southern Company’s Georgia Power subsidiary, has been named SCS senior vice president. As a member of Southern Company’s marketing leadership team, Haynes is responsible for marketing at Southern Company’s Savannah Electric subsidiary and the national accounts organization.

Bertram Sears, vice president of marketing and new business development for Southern Company, has been named SCS vice president. He also serves as president of Southern Company Energy Solutions, a Southern Company subsidiary responsible for new product development and marketing energy consulting services to business customers.

“These individuals lead key organizations in our Information Resources, Power Generation and Marketing functions,” noted SCS President and CEO Paul DeNicola. “The appointments allow these organizations to work closely together to provide a consistent focus to our customers.”

Southern Company (NYSE: SO), is an international energy company with $35 billion in assets through regional utilities and operations around the world. It is the largest producer of electricity in the United States and one of the world’s largest independent power producers. Based in Atlanta, Southern Company is the parent firm of Alabama Power, Georgia Power, Gulf Power, Mississippi Power and Savannah Electric. Through its Southern Energy Inc. subsidiary, Southern Company supplies electricity in 10 countries on four continents. It also provides energy-related marketing, trading and technical services and Southern LINC wireless telecommunications.