ATLANTA, Sept. 22 /PRNewswire-FirstCall/ -- SouthernLINC Wireless, a Southern Company (NYSE: SO), today announced that Christine T. Parsons, the company's information technology director, has been named a finalist in the mid-market/medium organization category for the 10th annual Women of the Year in Technology Awards. Category winners will be announced at an Oct. 1 gala at Atlanta's Renaissance Waverly Hotel.

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The Women of the Year in Technology Awards were created by Women in Technology (WIT), an association devoted to developing and promoting women for success in technology in Georgia. The awards celebrate women technology executives for their accomplishments as leaders in business, visionaries of technology and women who make a difference in our communities.

"I'm thrilled and humbled to be selected as a finalist for WIT's Women of the Year in Technology Awards," said Parsons. "By fostering career development, offering networking opportunities and providing leadership training, WIT does so much to help women thrive in the technology industry."

To be eligible for the awards, candidates must hold business, technology or scientific leadership roles within a technology organization or maintain technology or scientific leadership positions within a non-technology organization. In addition, nominees must reside in Georgia and be associated with a company or organization that is headquartered or affiliated in Georgia.

In her role with SouthernLINC Wireless, Parsons is responsible for managing four departments that provide support for information systems applications specific to the wireless communications business.

"WIT's Women of the Year in Technology Awards finalists rank among the highest caliber of women working in the technology industry," said Bob Dawson, president and CEO of SouthernLINC Wireless. "I am pleased that Christine's peers are recognizing her for the skill and professionalism she brings to SouthernLINC Wireless everyday."

An independent panel of judges composed of executives from a variety of business sectors interview the finalists and determine the winners. Finalists are evaluated on the following criteria:

• Role in the organization.
• Impact on the organization's mission.
• Involvement in initiatives and organizations outside the workplace.
• Impact of involvement in external activities or organizations.
• Demonstrated leadership within and outside the organization.
• Demonstrated involvement in fostering the advancement of women in technology.
  

Parsons is one of three finalists in the mid-market/medium organization category, which is comprised of businesses with 251 to 2,500 employees. Three finalists in the emerging/small organization and enterprise organization categories have also been named. One award recipient will be selected from each category.

About SouthernLINC Wireless

SouthernLINC Wireless, a Southern Company (NYSE: SO), is an Atlanta-based regional wireless carrier with network coverage in the major metro and rural areas of Alabama, Georgia, southeast Mississippi and northwest Florida. SouthernLINC Wireless bundles multiple communication options, including Push To Talk two-way radio, cellular service, text messaging, wireless Internet access and wireless data, into one hand-held device. For more information, please call 1-800-818-LINC (5462) or visit www.southernlinc.com.

About Southern Company

With 4.4 million customers and more than 42,000 megawatts of generating capacity, Atlanta-based Southern Company is the premier energy company serving the Southeast. A leading U.S. producer of 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 retail electric prices that are below the national average. Southern Company is consistently listed among the top U.S. electric service providers in customer satisfaction by the American Customer Satisfaction Index. Visit our Web site at www.southerncompany.com.

About Women in Technology

Women in Technology (WIT) is a not-for-profit organization made up of an influential community of diverse, talented professional women focused on promoting the advancement of women in the field of technology in Georgia. WIT's philanthropic and educational programs provide outreach to educate and encourage girls and young women to pursue careers in science and technology. WIT is a founding society of the Technology Association of Georgia, an umbrella membership organization that serves the Georgia technology community. For more information, visit www.witinc.org.

SOURCE SouthernLINC Wireless

SOURCE: SouthernLINC Wireless

Web site: http://www.southernlinc.com/