Southern Company Gas Welcomes New Board Members with Extensive Leadership Experience

Southern Company Gas Strengthens Leadership with New Board Members

On January 8, 2025, Southern Company Gas made headlines with the announcement of the election of two prominent figures to its board of directors. Stephen Edwards, the CEO and Executive Director of the Virginia Port Authority, and A. Benjamin Spencer, the Dean of the William & Mary Law School, will take on crucial roles effective January 1, 2025. This strategic move aims to leverage their extensive experience to further enhance the company’s commitment to delivering exceptional service and creating value for its 4.4 million customers across multiple states.

Welcome Aboard

James Y. (Jim) Kerr II, Chairman, President, and CEO of Southern Company Gas expressed great enthusiasm about the new appointments. "We are honored to have Stephen and Ben join our board of directors. With their experience and proven leadership, I am confident they will help us continue to strategically position Southern Company Gas as a premier energy provider,” Kerr said. By having leaders with strong ties to Virginia, the company aims to deepen its community engagement and improve service delivery to its Virginia Natural Gas customers.

Stephen Edwards: A Proven Leader in Trade and Logistics

Stephen Edwards brings an impressive background to his new position. As CEO of the Virginia Port Authority since 2021, he has overseen a pivotal institution that contributes more than 565,000 jobs and an annual $63 billion in GDP to the state of Virginia. Under his leadership, the Port of Virginia has experienced remarkable growth in cargo volume and revenue. Edwards has implemented innovative technological solutions and developed robust public-private partnerships to facilitate the port's expansion, positioning it as a critical hub for international trade.

Prior to his role at the Virginia Port Authority, Edwards held chief executive positions at various leading organizations in the shipping industry, including TraPac and GCT Global Container Terminals. He has consistently demonstrated his commitment to the community and currently serves on several boards dedicated to economic development and risk management within the international transport and logistics sector. Edwards is a graduate of Aston University, where he earned a Bachelor of Science in Transport Management.

A. Benjamin Spencer: A Scholar and Advocate

On the academic front, A. Benjamin Spencer, who has served as the Dean of the William & Mary Law School since 2020, also joins the board. Spencer is highly regarded as an award-winning legal educator and has held numerous leadership roles within various legal organizations. At William & Mary, he is accountable for managing a $40-million budget and a $102-million endowment, ensuring the institution not only thrives but adequately prepares its students for successful careers in law.

He has previously served on several prestigious governing boards and is active within the U.S. Army Reserve Judge Advocate General's Corps. Spencer's educational credentials are impressive; he holds a Bachelor of Arts degree in Political Science from Morehouse College, a Master of Science from the London School of Economics as a Marshall Scholar, and a Juris Doctor from Harvard Law School. His diverse background positions him well to contribute to the board's strategic discussions, particularly in areas related to governance and community outreach.

A Strategic Move Forward

As Southern Company Gas forges ahead with its initiatives, the addition of these two board members signifies a commitment not only to growth but also to the development of a robust governance framework that prioritizes customer service and community involvement. With their combined expertise across private, public, and academic sectors, Edwards and Spencer are expected to bring fresh insights and guidance to the company’s strategic direction.

Southern Company Gas, a wholly owned subsidiary of the Atlanta-based Southern Company, provides natural gas utility services to millions of customers across states such as Georgia, Illinois, Tennessee, and Virginia. The new board members will be instrumental in reinforcing the company’s dedication to operational excellence and exceptional customer service in the years to come.