Southern Communications, a Southern Company subsidiary, has named R. Craig Elder vice president and treasurer, in charge of finance, accounting and customer service functions.

Elder previously was general manager and treasurer of Southern Communications. Before joining Southern Communications, he served as a corporate finance department manager in Southern Company Services, another Southern Company subsidiary.

“Craig’s promotion to vice president reflects the outstanding work he has done and the increasingly important part he will play as our company grows,” said Robert G. Dawson, president of Southern Communications.

Southern Communications markets and operates Southern LINC — a digital, wireless communications service integrating two-way dispatch, phone service, short text/numeric messaging and wireless data into a single device. Southern LINC functions in areas served by Southern Company`s five electric utilities — Alabama Power, Georgia Power, Gulf Power, Mississippi Power and Savannah Electric.

Elder joined the Southern system in 1978 at Georgia Power, where he spent 15 years in various management and analyst positions before moving to Southern Company Services. Before joining Southern, Elder worked for GTE Management Sciences group in Tampa, Fla.

Elder earned a bachelor’s degree in mathematics and chemistry from Berry College in 1974. He received a master’s degree in engineering from Georgia Institute of Technology in 1977 and a master’s degree in business administration from Georgia State University in 1985.

Southern Company (NYSE: SO) is America’s largest producer of electricity. Other subsidiaries include Southern Electric International and Southern Development and Investment Group. Southern Company’s stock is one of the 20 most widely held corporate stocks in America.