Johnny Atherton has been named Mississippi Power’s vice president of External Affairs by President and CEO Anthony Topazi and the company’s board of directors. Atherton will replace Don Mason, who will retire January 1, 2005.

“Johnny is a proven leader within our company,” Topazi said in making the announcement. “He brings a great deal to the position, having served more than six years as the company’s Legislative Affairs manager and having developed a credible network throughout the state.”

Atherton is a native of the Coast and is a graduate of the University of Southern Mississippi with a degree in marketing. He joined Mississippi Power in 1985 and has held positions of responsibility in Marketing, Employee Relations, and Legislative Affairs. He currently serves as the Economic Development director for the company.

“In his current position, Johnny has played a key support role in two statewide economic development initiatives, BLUEPRINT MISSISSIPPI and Momentum Mississippi,” said Topazi. “We are pleased to have someone with very broad experience within our company fill this position.”

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