ATLANTA, GA - Georgia Power's President and CEO David Ratcliffe will receive the Diversity CEO of the year award at the 6th annual Georgia Minority Business Awards (GMBA) luncheon on Thursday, Feb. 6 from noon to 2 p.m. at the Westin Peachtree Plaza Hotel.

"We are honoring Mr. Ratcliffe with this award because of his commitment to diversity at Georgia Power," said Creed Pannell, publisher of the Atlanta Business Journal, host of the luncheon. "The accomplishments Georgia Power has made through its diversity department under Mr. Ratcliffe's leadership are extraordinary and should be applauded," Pannell added.

The primary goal of the GMBA is to give business students, school officials, politicians and business leaders the opportunity to network with one another. More than 1,000 guests are expected to attend the luncheon. The awards program is designed to recognize outstanding business leaders for their contributions to their businesses and the community as well as their individual accomplishments. Also being recognized at Thursday's awards luncheon is Edward Renford, President & CEO, Grady Healthcare, who will receive the CEO Cultural Diversity Award and Guillermo Hysaw, Vice President of Diversity, Toyota-Lexus who will receive the Global Diversity Award.

The GMBA program gives scholarships to business schools to encourage students to do well in school. Now in its fifth year, the GMBA helps students and schools reach their objectives in developing students in areas of high tech and business school development.

"I'm honored to accept this award on behalf of all Georgia Power employees who make our workplace one that values the diversity of our coworkers, customers and communities. Our success depends on that," said David Ratcliffe.

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, serving customers in 57,000 of the state's 59,000 square miles. Georgia Power's rates are more than 15 percent below the national average and its 1.9 million customers are in all but six of Georgia's 159 counties.

Southern Company

Southern Company

Southern Company (NYSE: SO) is a leading energy provider serving 9 million customers across the Southeast and beyond through its family of companies. Providing clean, safe, reliable and affordable energy with excellent service is our mission. The company has electric operating companies in three states, natural gas distribution companies in four states, a competitive generation company, a leading distributed energy distribution company with national capabilities, a fiber optics network and telecommunications services. Through an industry-leading commitment to innovation, resilience and sustainability, we are taking action to meet customers' and communities' needs while advancing our goal of net zero greenhouse gas emissions by 2050. Our uncompromising values ensure we put the needs of those we serve at the center of everything we do and are the key to our sustained success. We are transforming energy into economic, environmental and social progress for tomorrow. Our corporate culture and hiring practices have earned the company national awards and recognition from numerous organizations, including Forbes, The Military Times, DiversityInc, Black Enterprise, J.D. Power, Fortune, Human Rights Campaign and more. To learn more, visit www.southerncompany.com.

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