Southern Company President David M. Ratcliffe receives ValdostaState University's Distinguished Alumnus Award

David M. Ratcliffe, a 1970 graduate of Valdosta State University who recently was named president of the Southern Company, is the recipient of the Valdosta State University Alumni Association's 2004 Distinguished Alumnus Award. The presentation was made at the annual VSU Alumni Reception in Atlanta on May 13, 2004.

Ratcliffe will become chairman and chief executive officer of the Southern Company in July 2004. On April 1, 2004 he officially took over the reins of president of Southern Company and chief executive officer of Georgia Power. The Southern Company is one of the largest generators of electricity in the United States.

A biology major at VSU, Ratcliffe joined Georgia Power in 1971 and coordinated environmental monitoring and compliance programs in and around power plants. While actively assuming his responsibility at his initial job with Georgia Power, Ratcliffe was pursuing a law degree at Woodrow Wilson College of Law, graduating in 1975. He is a member of the Georgia Bar Association.

In 1986, Ratcliffe held the title of vice president of fuel services at Southern Company Services and was responsible for fuel management for the operating subsidiaries of Southern Company. He served as executive vice president of Southern Company Services from 1989 to 1991 with responsibility for fuel services, operating and planning services, and research and environmental affairs.

Ratcliffe held the positions of president and CEO of Mississippi Power from 1991 to 1995 and served as senior vice president of external affairs for the Southern Company from 1995 to 1998. He was appointed executive vice president, treasurer, and chief financial officer of Georgia Power in 1998, before being named president and chief executive officer of Georgia Power in 1999.

Ratcliffe has contributed greatly to his community, serving on such boards as the Edison Electric Institute, the Federal Reserve Bank of Atlanta, the Georgia Chamber of Commerce, the Woodruff Arts Center, Clark Atlanta University, CSX Transportation and the Georgia Partnership for Excellence in Education.

On February 6, 2004, Ratcliffe was honored and presented the Diversity CEO of the Year Award at the 6th Annual Georgia Minority Business Awards. He was awarded the recognition due to his commitment to diversity at Georgia Power.

A native of Tifton, Georgia, Ratcliffe is married to the former Cecelia E. Chandler. Their two grown children are Andrew and Elizabeth.