Frances Turnage has been named Mississippi Power’s vice president of Finance, Treasurer and Chief Financial Officer by President and CEO Anthony Topazi and the company’s board of directors. She will replace Mike Southern, who is moving to become Senior Vice President, Chief Financial Officer and Comptroller for Southern Company Generation. The change will be effective in March.

“Frances has demonstrated outstanding leadership skills during her long career with the company,” Topazi said in making the announcement. “She has not only distinguished herself in conducting the financial affairs of Mississippi Power, but has also served in a wide variety of other positions throughout our company, including operations and customer service.”

Turnage, a native of York, Alabama, earned a bachelor’s degree in accounting and master’s degree in business administration from the University of Mississippi. She joined Mississippi Power in 1980 and has served in positions of responsibility involving corporate financial planning, budgeting, and business development. She also spent four years as manager of the Biloxi-Ocean Springs district and currently serves as the company’s comptroller.

"In her current position, Frances has played a key role in managing the company’s regulatory financial function and implementation of our financial strategy,” said Topazi. “We are pleased to have someone with her depth of experience within the company to fill this position.”

Mississippi Power, a Southern Company subsidiary, serves more than 193,000 customers in 23 southeast Mississippi counties.