ATLANTA, Jan. 4, 2013 /PRNewswire/ -- Georgia Power President and CEO Paul Bowers today announced that W. Ron Hinson has been named executive vice president, chief financial officer (CFO), treasurer and comptroller, effective March 31. He will succeed current Georgia Power CFO Ronnie Labrato, who will retire March 31.

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Hinson, 56, currently serves as chief accounting officer and comptroller for Southern Company, as well as senior vice president and comptroller of Southern Company Services.

"Ron's experience and proven track record of delivering results at Georgia Power and Southern Company make him uniquely qualified for this crucial, expanded position," said Bowers. "Moreover, Ron consistently demonstrates the strong leadership and strategic focus necessary to lead the company's finance and accounting functions in this increasingly complex, ever-evolving financial landscape."

Current Georgia Power Comptroller Ann Daiss will succeed Hinson as chief accounting officer and comptroller of Southern Company, as well as senior vice president and comptroller of Southern Company Services on March 31. The separate position of comptroller at Georgia Power will be eliminated, with Hinson assuming the additional duties as CFO.

Bowers added, "A key focus of our strategy is to drive efficiencies in the business while maintaining outstanding customer service and industry-leading operations." 

Commenting on Labrato's 34 years with the Southern Company system, Bowers noted, "Ronnie has exemplified the combination of leadership, integrity and business acumen in every role he has held in his career, and these attributes are the cornerstones of our company's success. We wish him well as he enters this new chapter in his life."

Since beginning his career at Georgia Power in 1979, Hinson has held numerous positions in the company's accounting and finance organizations, including serving as vice president and comptroller, where he was an active participant in state regulatory activities.

Hinson, an Atlanta native, holds an A.S. in Business from Young Harris College, a B.B.A. in Accounting from the University of Georgia and an M.B.A. in Finance from Mercer University. He also is a graduate of the Harvard Business School's Advanced Management Program.

 A Certified Public Accountant and Certified Management Accountant, Hinson is a past director and secretary/treasurer of the American Red Cross Atlanta chapter and past director and president of the Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis (ALS) Association of Georgia.

Georgia Power is the largest subsidiary of Southern Company, one of the nation's largest generators of electricity. The company is an investor-owned, tax-paying utility with rates below the national average. Georgia Power serves 2.4 million customers in all but four of Georgia's 159 counties.

www.georgiapower.com

SOURCE Georgia Power