ATLANTA, Sept. 12, 2013 /PRNewswire/ -- Southern Company today announced that Chris Cummiskey has been named chief commercial officer of subsidiary Southern Power, effective Oct. 14. In this role, Cummiskey will lead the expansion of wholesale marketing activities, including business development, acquisitions and asset management for Southern Power.

(Photo: http://photos.prnewswire.com/prnh/20130912/CL78871)

(Logo: http://photos.prnewswire.com/prnh/20080801/SOCOLOGO)

Cummiskey is currently the commissioner of the Georgia Department of Economic Development (GDEcD). He has served in this role since January 2011, leading the state agency responsible for bringing jobs and investment to Georgia through global commerce, entertainment and tourism. Cummiskey previously worked for Southern Company, serving as an energy trader from 1996 to 1999.

"Chris is a proven leader whose understanding of the issues and customer-focused mindset will help ensure Southern Power's continued success," said Southern Power Chief Executive Officer Oscar C. Harper. "His experience in growing business in Georgia, coupled with his background in energy and gas, makes him uniquely suited for this position. We are pleased to welcome Chris back to the Southern Company system."

During Cummiskey's tenure at GDEcD, his team led more than 500 company locations or expansions in Georgia, creating more than 46,700 jobs and $8.92 billion in investment. Two of the most recent projects include Baxter International and Caterpillar, Inc., which together account for $1.5 billion in investment and 3,200 new jobs.

Under Cummiskey's leadership, the tourism industry registered $49 billion in total economic impact during 2011 and the impact of the film industry reached a new record at $3.1 billion in 2012.

Prior to joining GDEcD, Cummiskey was a manager and director of energy and gas derivatives trading for companies including RWE Americas, Mirant and Mieco. He also served as a state director for U.S. Sen. Johnny Isakson, chief of staff for former Georgia House Speaker Glenn Richardson, and director of state relations for the University of Georgia.

Cummiskey, 39, is a graduate of the University of Georgia, where he holds a bachelor's degree in business administration. He and his wife, Rebecca, live in Atlanta.

Southern Power, a subsidiary of Southern Company, is a leading U.S. wholesale energy provider, meeting the electricity needs of municipalities, electric cooperatives and investor-owned utilities. Southern Power and its subsidiaries own and operate 15 facilities in eight states, with more than 8,700 MW of generating capacity operating or under construction in Alabama, California, Florida, Georgia, Nevada, North Carolina, Texas and New Mexico.

With 4.4 million customers and nearly 46,000 megawatts of generating capacity, Atlanta-based Southern Company (NYSE: SO) is the premier energy company serving the Southeast through its subsidiaries. A leading U.S. producer of clean, safe, reliable and affordable 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 energy innovation, excellent customer service, high reliability and retail electric prices that are below the national average. Southern Company and its subsidiaries are leading the nation's nuclear renaissance through the construction of the first new nuclear units to be built in a generation of Americans and are demonstrating their commitment to energy innovation through the development of a state-of-the-art coal gasification plant. Southern Company has been recognized by the U.S. Department of Defense and G.I. Jobs magazine as a top military employer and listed by DiversityInc as a top company for Blacks. The company received the 2012 Edison Award from the Edison Electric Institute for its leadership in new nuclear development, was named Electric Light & Power magazine's Utility of the Year for 2012 and is continually ranked among the top utilities in Fortune's annual World's Most Admired Electric and Gas Utility rankings. Visit our website at www.southerncompany.com.

SOURCE Southern Company