Thomas A. Fanning named successor to Georgia university system chancellor

The University System of Georgia (USG) Board of Regents has selected Thomas A. Fanning to succeed Sonny Perdue as chancellor. Fanning, who is coming out of retirement, will lead Georgia’s 25 public colleges and universities.

Fanning brings extensive business and leadership experience to the role, having served as the chairman, president, and CEO of Southern Company for 13 years until his retirement in 2023. He also previously chaired the Federal Reserve Bank of Atlanta board and served as the inaugural chair of the federal Cybersecurity Advisory Committee.

Board Chair David B. Dove stated that Fanning’s four decades of experience managing one of the nation’s largest energy companies makes him uniquely qualified to manage complex operations and guide the university system forward.