Georgia Power’s Board of Directors elected W. Tal Wright to the position of vice president of corporate communication on May 18. Formerly the director of Georgia Power’s corporate communication department, Wright’s responsibilities will continue to include overseeing the company’s strategic communications programs, including media relations, internal communications, creative services, advertising and electronic communications.

“With nearly 23 years of experience, Tal’s proven talent, leadership and public relations knowledge have been invaluable to our company,” said Mike Garret, Georgia Power’s president and CEO. “He has the right capabilities and business expertise to lead the important function of communicating with Georgia Power’s internal and external stakeholders. As we continue to grow and serve our customers, communicating our vision for the communities we serve is crucial.”

Since 1982, Wright has served in a number of external roles for Georgia Power and Southern Company, including assistant to the executive vice president of external affairs for Georgia Power, Southern Company media relations manager, Georgia Power public information manager, advertising manager and media relations manager.

He has a Bachelor of Science degree in communications from Georgia Southern University and is a recipient of the Georgia Southern University Leadership Service Award.

Wright is a member of the Public Relations Society of America and is Accredited in Public Relations (APR). He is a member of the Atlanta Press Club, the Georgia Press Association and is a former associates’ president for the Georgia Press Association. Currently, Wright serves on the boards of the Georgia Press Education Foundation and the National Multiple Sclerosis Society – Georgia Chapter. He is chairman of the board of the Empty Stocking Fund of metro Atlanta. He is also a member of the Conference Board’s Council On Corporate Communications Strategy.

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, serving customers in 57,000 of the state’s 59,000 square miles. Georgia Power’s rates are below the national average and its 2 million customers are in all but six of Georgia’s 159 counties.