We found new expertise in energy trading and marketing and risk management in the marketplace. There is a great willingness to join Southern Company because of our reputation as an industry leader and as a great place to work.

In addition, we've made changes to our senior executive team without losing any momentum. Our aggressive growth created the need for a president and chief operating officer position. And I named Allen Franklin, who was president of Georgia Power, to that role. I also called on Marce Fuller to be the new chief executive officer of Southern Energy.

I have great pride in all our employees and their commitment to making us the best in our industry.

What makes Southern Company unique?
We are a rapidly growing competitive energy business. We're big. We're smart. And we're successful. We're doing what we said we would do. We're meeting our goals.

In the United States, we have a network of generating plants coast to coast. We have a growing energy trading and marketing group that sells our product. Internationally, our competitive energy business is performing strongly in Asia. And in the European Union countries, we're looking at replicating our successful North American business.

We offer the best prospects for long-term sustainable growth along with the stability of a low-risk, financially strong regulated business. I don't believe anyone else in our industry can do that as well as we can.