Thomas A. Fanning was the CEO of The Southern Company, a major utility that serves millions of customers across multiple states. He had a long career, working with the company for over four decades, starting as a financial analyst and...

Thomas A. Fanning was the CEO of The Southern Company, a major utility that serves millions of customers across multiple states. He had a long career, working with the company for over four decades, starting as a financial analyst and climbing up to leadership roles like Chief Financial Officer and Chief Operating Officer before becoming CEO in 2010. Fanning's retirement was announced for the end of 2023, marking the end of an era for the company. His leadership saw the company dealing with challenges like the Vogtle construction project, which affected earnings and resulted in significant bonuses tied to performance metrics like earnings per share and operational safety. Under his guidance, the company focused heavily on sustainability and infrastructure. Even after retirement, Fanning is set to work as a consultant, indicating his expertise will still play a role in energy policy and security matters. Throughout his time, he held an impressive amount of stock in The Southern Company, reflecting a strong personal stake in the company's success. His compensation reached as high as $21.2 million in 2021, mainly driven by performance-based bonuses and vested stock awards, which showcases a solid connection between his personal financial success and the company's performance.