George Edison (Ed) Holland, Jr. was elected President of Savannah Electric and Power Company today during a special meeting of the Board of Directors. He will be joining the Company effective July 12, 1997. The Board also elected Arthur M. Gignilliat, Jr., Chairman of the Board and Chief Executive Officer. Holland will succeed Gignilliat as CEO upon his retirement this Fall.

Holland is currently Vice President of Power Generation/Transmission and Corporate Counsel for Gulf Power, one of Savannah Electric’s sister companies and a subsidiary of Southern Company. “Ed Holland will bring great energy, initiative and experience to bear in meeting the challenges of our changing business and we look forward to welcoming him and his family to our community,” Gignilliat said.

Holland is a graduate of Auburn University and the University of Virginia School of Law. He is a member of the American Bar Association (Administrative Law & Energy Law Committees) and the Legal Committee of the Edison Electric Institute. Prior to joining Gulf Power in 1992, as a partner in the Pensacola law firm of Beggs and Lane, his primary duty with the firm was serving as general counsel to Gulf. He is active in local civic activities and has served on the Board of Directors of the Private Industry Council; United Way of Escambia County; Pensacola Historical Society; American Cancer Society; and the YMCA.

The 44 year-old Holland, is married to the former Elizabeth (Betsy) Bird and the couple has two daughters, Laura and Caroline.

Gignilliat will retire October 1 after 40 years of service to Savannah Electric. He joined the Company in 1957. Prior to being named President in 1982, he served as Vice President-Public Affairs, Administrative Vice President, Assistant Sales Manager and Director of Advertising.

He was elected to the Georgia House of Representatives from Chatham County, serving from 1966 to 1981. Gignilliat also served on the University System Board of Regents from 1983 to 1993. He was Chairman of the Board from 1985 to 1986. Governor Miller recently named Gignilliat to the Georgia Board of Industry, Trade and Tourism for a five year term.

Raised in Savannah, Gignilliat attended Armstrong Junior College and received a degree in Journalism from the University of Georgia in 1955.

He is married to the former Molly Barnhardt of Savannah. They have two children and four grandchildren.