#United States #Mississippi Power #Anthony Wilson #Gulfport #Pedro Cherry

Mississippi Power Welcomes New President Pedro Cherry

Mississippi Power has announced significant leadership changes as it celebrates its 100th anniversary. Pedro Cherry has been appointed as the new president of the company, while Anthony Wilson continues to serve as chairman and CEO until the summer.

A New Chapter for Mississippi Power

Pedro Cherry comes to Mississippi Power with an impressive background, boasting nearly 30 years in the energy industry, including 25 years within the Southern Company system. He previously held the positions of president and CEO at Atlanta Gas Light and Chattanooga Gas, natural gas utilities catering to approximately 1.8 million customers across Georgia and Tennessee.

In his new role, Cherry expressed excitement about joining Mississippi Power during a period of growth and transformation. He stated, "I am thrilled to join Mississippi Power during the company's centennial year and during a period of unprecedented growth. Mississippi Power has a solid reputation in the industry, particularly for its commitment to safety and delivering excellent service to its customers. I am deeply honored to have this opportunity."

Cherry’s extensive experience includes serving as the executive vice president of Customer Service and Operations (CSO) at Georgia Power, where he managed over 5,000 employees and oversaw customer service, power delivery, sales, pricing and planning, and renewable development.

Leadership Transition Reflects Company Values

Anthony Wilson has praised Cherry's leadership capabilities, noting that he is a perfect fit for Mississippi Power and the communities it serves. Wilson stated, "Pedro is a tremendous leader with a broad base of knowledge and experience across Southern Company. He shares our values and the principles that are important to us, so I know he will effectively lead our company through this transition."

Cherry's history with Georgia Power includes leadership roles responsible for the company's operations, customer service, economic and community development across the metro Atlanta region. His connection to the community runs deep as he actively participates in several local boards and serves as the chairman for the Georgia Chamber in 2024.

Educational Background and Community Engagement

Cherry holds a bachelor's degree in industrial engineering and an MBA focusing on operations management and finance from Auburn University. He has further developed his leadership skills through programs such as Leadership Atlanta, Leadership Georgia, and the Atlanta Regional Commission's Regional Leadership Institute. Additionally, he is an active member of Auburn University's Alumni Engineering Advisory Council.

A Legacy of Service and Reliability

As Mississippi Power embarks on its 100th year of serving the community, it remains dedicated to reliability and safety in energy production. The company services over 192,000 customers across 23 counties in southeast Mississippi and has established itself as a leader in energy safety and service reliability. In recognition, it was awarded the Top Safety Performance by the Southeastern Electric Exchange in 2024 and has received multiple Emergency Response Awards from the Edison Electric Institute.

Cherry’s appointment marks a pivotal moment for Mississippi Power, with expectations set high for achieving continued excellence in service delivery and community impact. For ongoing updates and insights, visit Mississippi Power’s website and follow their social media channels.