Chris Womack is the chairman, president and chief executive officer of Southern Company, one of the nation’s leading energy providers serving 9 million customers and businesses nationwide with electric utilities in three states and natural gas distribution utilities in four, as well as providing wholesale energy, customized distributed energy solutions and fiber optics and wireless communications across the country.
A transformative leader in the U.S. energy sector with over 35 years of experience, Chris is leading Southern Company to meet energy demand, while maintaining affordability and reliability for customers. From advancing the Vogtle nuclear expansion to championing cutting-edge technologies, he has consistently driven progress through innovation. Under his leadership, Southern Company is navigating a pivotal era—delivering the energy solutions customers and communities need for today and tomorrow. A recognized national thought leader, Womack’s strategic vision and focus on culture are shaping the future of energy and redefining what’s possible for the industry.
Prior to his current role, Chris served as chairman, president and CEO of Georgia Power, Southern Company’s largest subsidiary. From completing the world’s largest hydrogen fuel blend test at the time to championing inclusion efforts across the company and its region, he oversaw the team in its proactive, innovative and transformational efforts to continue meeting the energy needs of the State of Georgia for future generations during his time leading Georgia Power.
A native of Greenville, Alabama, Womack joined Southern Company in 1988 and has held a number of senior executive roles across the company. He has served as executive vice president and president of external affairs for Southern Company where he led overall external positioning and branding efforts including the company’s public policy strategies, governmental and regulatory affairs, and corporate communication initiatives. Chris has also served as executive vice president of external affairs at Georgia Power, senior vice president and senior production officer of Southern Company Generation, senior vice president of human resources and chief people officer at Southern Company, as well as senior vice president of public relations and corporate services at Alabama Power.
Prior to joining Southern Company, Womack worked on Capitol Hill for the U.S. House of Representatives in Washington, D.C. He served as a legislative aide for former Congressman Leon E. Panetta and as staff director for the Subcommittee on Personnel and Police for the Committee on House Administration.
Womack is vice chair of the Edison Electric Institute's (EEI) board of directors, second vice chair of the board of directors of Electric Power Research Institute (EPRI) and a member of the board of directors of Invesco Ltd. and vice chairman of the Georgia Ports Authority. He is past chair of the Metro Atlanta Chamber of Commerce, past chair of the board of the East Lake Foundation and is on the national board of The First Tee. Womack has chaired the Atlanta Convention and Visitors Bureau board, the Atlanta Sports Council and the board for Communities in Schools of Georgia. He has received numerous honors, awards and recognitions.
He holds a bachelor’s degree from Western Michigan University and a master’s degree from The American University and completed the Stanford Executive Program in 2001.
