Leslie Sanders has been named vice president of Alabama Power’s Southern Division, President and CEO Charles McCrary announced today. Sanders will replace Kenneth Coleman, who was recently named Chief Information Officer for Southern Company.

A 25-year veteran of Alabama Power, Sanders previously served as vice president of Governmental Relations, where she was responsible for overseeing all aspects of governmental affairs for the company at the state level. In her new position, Sanders will be responsible for providing service to customers in south central Alabama, including the Montgomery area.

“Leslie has proven her value to Alabama Power throughout her career,” McCrary said. “In addition to her business experience, her interest and involvement in the Montgomery area make her ideal for this position.”

A graduate of the University of Alabama, Sanders joined Alabama Power in 1986 and has since worked in staff and management positions including Constituency Relations director, Public Information representative for the company's Southern Division and as a Marketing representative in Montgomery. Prior to joining the company, she was a public relations assistant with Humana Hospital and a media buyer for Cunningham, Black and Farley in Montgomery.

Among her civic and professional activities, Sanders serves as a board member for the Alabama Department of Human Resources and Children's First Foundation. She has served as a task force member of the Department of Children's Affairs and on the Steering Committee for Rutgers Center for American Women and Politics Forum. She has also served as chairman of the Montgomery Riverfront Development Foundation and was the coordinator of the 45th anniversary of the Montgomery Bus Boycott with the city of Montgomery and the Montgomery Improvement Association.

Sanders and her husband, David, live in Montgomery with their two children, Brittany Leigh and Blake David.

Alabama Power, a subsidiary of Atlanta-based Southern Company (NYSE: SO), provides reliable, affordable electricity to more than 1.4 million customers across the state.