Georgia Power’s Board of Directors has elected Craig Barrs as vice president of the company’s Community and Economic Development department. In this role, he will oversee the company’s efforts to help bring new industry to Georgia, develop infrastructure in communities across the state and help existing industries grow and prosper in Georgia.

“Craig’s experience in the company and understanding of the role that utilities play in economic development will serve him well in this position,” said David Ratcliffe, Georgia Power’s President and CEO. “I am confident that Craig will work hard to support responsible growth and development in the state, as well as continue our efforts to encourage urban planning.”

Barrs replaces Becky Blalock who was recently promoted to Senior Vice President and Chief Information Officer at Southern Company. Barrs is taking the helm of an award-winning economic development department that received the 2001 Global Innovator’s Award from the International Development Research Council and has consistently been named as one of the top corporations for economic development by Site Selection Magazine. The department has generated more than $5 billion in capital investment and created more than 100,000 jobs in Georgia in the past decade.

Barrs has held numerous leadership positions at Georgia Power since joining the company in 1981. Most recently, he served as Ratcliffe’s assistant. Prior to that, he spent three years as the manager of regulatory affairs.

He also served three years as the manager of marketing regulatory affairs. Barrs also served as the area manager in Gainesville for two years, supervising the operations, marketing and customer service functions. He also served in various customer service positions and as the assistant to the Northern Region vice president.

Barrs is a native of Cochran, Ga. and a graduate of the University of Georgia with a Bachelor of Business Administration.

He and his wife Annie have two children and live in Lawrenceville, Ga. where they are members of the Prince of Peace Catholic Church.