Chief Executive Officer

David M. Ratcliffe
CEO, Southern Company

 

David Ratcliffe is chairman, president and chief executive officer of Southern Company, one of America's largest producers of electricity. Elected by the board of directors in December 2003, Ratcliffe became president of Southern Company in April 2004 and assumed the additional responsibilities of CEO and chairman in July 2004.

As CEO of Georgia Power for the previous five years, Ratcliffe was responsible for the overall operation of Southern Company's largest subsidiary, with more than 2 million customers in 153 of Georgia's 159 counties. Prior to becoming president and CEO in 1999, Ratcliffe was executive vice president, treasurer and chief financial officer of Georgia Power.

From 1995 to 1998, Ratcliffe served as senior vice president of external affairs for Southern Company. From 1991 to 1995, he was president and CEO of Mississippi Power, a Southern Company subsidiary.

From 1989 to 1991, he served as executive vice president of Southern Company Services with responsibility for fuel services, operating and planning services, and research and environmental affairs. In 1986, he was named vice president of fuel services at Southern Company Services with responsibility for fuel management for the operating subsidiaries of Southern Company.

Ratcliffe joined Georgia Power as a biologist in 1971. At Georgia Power he coordinated environmental monitoring and compliance programs in and around power plants.

A native of Tifton, Georgia, Ratcliffe received a bachelor's degree in biology from Valdosta State University in 1970. He received a law degree from Woodrow Wilson College of Law in 1975 and is a member of the Georgia Bar Association.

Ratcliffe is a member of the following boards:

• Edison Electric Institute (Director) (Vice Chair; Chair Elect 6/2008-6/2009)
• Federal Reserve Bank of Atlanta (Director 2002-2007; Chair, 2004-2006)
• CSX Transportation (Director)
• Georgia Partnership for Excellence in Education
• Georgia Chamber of Commerce (Chair, 2005)
• Metro Atlanta Chamber of Commerce
• Georgia Research Alliance (Chair, 2005-2006)
• Woodruff Arts Center (Trustee; Chair, 2004 Campaign)