Fall 2023 Commencement Speakers Announced

Chris Womack, President and CEO of Southern Company

Master’s/Bachelor’s: Dec. 16, 2 p.m.  

Starting with Southern Company in 1988, Womack became the president and CEO of the energy provider, which serves more than 9 million customers nationwide, in March 2023. In recognition of his leadership and community involvement, Womack has received numerous honors, including being named among Black Enterprise’s 100 Most Powerful Executives in Corporate America. 

Womack previously served as the president and CEO of Georgia Power — the provider’s largest subsidiary — and executive vice president and president of external affairs for Southern Company, where he led overall external positioning and branding efforts.  

The Greenville, Alabama, native co-chairs the Edison Electric Institute Customer Solutions Policy Committee and is a member of the board of directors of Invesco Ltd. and the Georgia Ports Authority. In the past, Womack chaired the board of the East Lake Foundation, the Atlanta Convention and Visitors Bureau board, and the Atlanta Sports Council. He continues to serve on the national board of First Tee — a nonprofit empowering teens through golf.  

Before joining Southern Company, Womack worked on Capitol Hill as a legislative aide for former Rep. Leon E. Panetta and as staff director for the Subcommittee on Personnel and Police for the Committee on House Administration. 

He holds a bachelor’s degree from Western Michigan University and a master’s degree from American University, and he completed the Stanford Executive Program. For his efforts as a civic and business leader, Womack will be awarded an honorary degree.