ATLANTA  -- Georgia Power President and CEO Paul Bowers today announced organizational changes and numerous appointments in an effort to enhance the company's efficiency and effectiveness, and streamline operations. All changes are effective Jan. 1.

These organizational changes fill current officer and other leadership vacancies, and realign customer service with the marketing organization.

"In addition to enhancing our company's efficiencies, these changes have created opportunities for movement within our leadership ranks," Bowers said. "With recent retirements and promotions, I am pleased we can provide new cross-functional and cross-company opportunities for our team."

Officer additions and changes are as follows:

• Land Vice President Walt Dukes will become senior vice president of Metro Atlanta Regions, replacing Richard Holmes, who is retiring at the end of the year.
• Metro Atlanta East Region Manager Lenn Chandler was elected to replace Hazelton as Northeast Region vice president.
• Metro Atlanta West Region Manager Pedro Cherry was elected vice president of community & economic development, replacing Kevin Fletcher, who retired earlier this year.
• Mike Clanton, who currently serves as energy sales and efficiency vice president, will assume the duties of land vice president.
• Mike Hazelton, who currently serves as Northeast Region vice president, will assume the role of vice president of marketing.
• Danny Lindsey, who currently serves as general manager of distribution engineering, construction and maintenance, will become transmission vice president.
• Murry Weaver, vice president of Southern Wholesale Energy, will assume Clanton's duties as vice president of sales.

Georgia Power is the largest subsidiary of Southern Company, one of the nation's largest generators of electricity. The company is an investor-owned, tax-paying utility with rates well below the national average. Georgia Power serves 2.4 million customers in all but four of Georgia's 159 counties.