ATLANTA (SmyrnaVinings.News) — Former Southern Company CEO Thomas A. Fanning is the sole finalist to lead the University System of Georgia, succeeding retiring Chancellor Sonny Perdue.
The Board of Regents selected Fanning following a national search. Perdue will remain chancellor through Dec. 31.
His background: Fanning spent more than four decades at Southern Company, including 13 years as CEO, before retiring in December 2023. He joined the company as a financial analyst in 1980.
A Georgia Tech graduate with bachelor’s and master’s degrees, Fanning has served on several university advisory and foundation boards. He also previously chaired the Federal Reserve Bank of Atlanta.
What he would oversee: The university system includes 25 public colleges and universities, more than 382,000 students and more than 50,000 faculty and staff.
What’s next: Fanning’s appointment still requires board action. Regents will consider the position at a future meeting, no sooner than 14 days after naming him the finalist Sept. 16.
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