Malcolm Portera, Chancellor of The University of Alabama System, and William F. Walker, President of Auburn University, were elected today to the Board of Directors of Alabama Power Company.

"We are honored to have Dr. Portera and Dr. Walker join our board of directors," said Alabama Power President and CEO Charles McCrary. "These two leaders bring unique perspectives and extraordinary records of civic and professional accomplishment to our company. We look forward to their contributions as we pursue Alabama Power's goals of serving our customers, shareholders and our community."

Portera was elected Chancellor of The University of Alabama System in November 2001. Before assuming his duties as Chancellor, he served as the 16th President of Mississippi State University. Prior to joining Mississippi State, he held a variety of positions at the University of Alabama and The University of Alabama System, including Vice President and Vice Chancellor. Portera is responsible for helping develop several nationally recognized research and instructional programs at the University of Alabama. He also has owned a successful business development strategic planning company.

Walker was appointed President of Auburn University in June 2002. Prior to becoming President, Walker served as Auburn's interim president, beginning in February 2001. He has also served as Provost and Vice President for Academic Affairs and as Dean of the College of Engineering. Before arriving at Auburn in 1988, Walker was a faculty member and chairman of the Department of Mechanical Engineering and Materials Science at Rice University in Houston. Walker is a member of Gov. Bob Riley's newly formed Commission on Education Spending, a member of the Alabama Technology Board and serves on the board of directors of the Alabama School of Mathematics and Science, among other civic and community organizations. He holds bachelor's and master's degrees in aerospace engineering from the University of Texas at Austin and a doctorate in mechanical engineering from Oklahoma State University. He and wife Myrna have two children.

Portera also serves on Gov. Riley's Commission on Education Spending, is past chair of the Council of Presidents of the Southeastern Universities Research Association and serves on the board of the Public Affairs Research Council of Alabama, the Metropolitan Development Board, Operation New Birmingham, the Alabama Technology Network, Alabama Workforce Investment Board, the Southern Research Institute, and Regional Technology Strategies, Inc., of Chapel Hill, N.C., among other positions. Portera received his bachelor's degree in general science in 1969 and a master's degree in political science in 1971 from Mississippi State University. He holds a doctorate in political science from the University of Alabama. He and wife Olivia have two children.

Alabama Power, a subsidiary of Atlanta-based Southern Company , provides reliable, affordable electricity to more than 1.3 million customers across the state.

SOURCE: Alabama Power Company