Fred Williams has been named senior vice president of wholesale power marketing at Southern Company Services, a subsidiary of The Southern Company, SCS President Paul DeNicola announced today.

Williams, who is filling a newly created position, will oversee the wholesale power marketing group, which was recently reorganized to focus on competitive markets in the Southeast. Williams also will provide direction to employees involved in wholesale marketing at The Southern Company’s five utilities.

Williams will continue in his role at Georgia Power, where he is senior vice president of bulk power markets, and is expected to be named an officer of Alabama Power.

“As our industry moves toward a deregulated business environment, we need people like Fred with experience in competition leading the way,” DeNicola said.

The Southern Company (NYSE: SO) is the parent firm of five electric utilities: Alabama Power, Georgia Power, Gulf Power, Mississippi Power, and Savannah Electric. Other subsidiaries include Southern Electric International, Southern Communications, Southern Nuclear, Southern Company Services, and Southern Development and Investment Group. The Southern Company’s common stock is one of the 20 most widely held corporate stocks in America.

Williams, 51, has held a number of positions within The Southern Company, including manager of generation planning, manager of operating services and support group, and general manager of bulk power markets.

Williams is a graduate of the University of Alabama at Birmingham, with a bachelor’s degree in electrical engineering and a master’s in business administration.