Southern company appoints Hans Brown as executive VP and CITO

ATLANTA - Southern Company (NYSE:SO), a $104 billion market cap utility giant trading near its 52-week high, has appointed Hans Brown as executive vice president and Chief Information Technology Officer (CITO), effective July 31, the energy provider announced Monday.

Brown will lead the company’s technology strategy and digital transformation efforts, leveraging his experience in platform operating models, technology transformation, and strategic fintech investments. According to InvestingPro data, Southern Company has demonstrated strong momentum with a 16.25% year-to-date return, suggesting investor confidence in its strategic initiatives.

Prior to joining Southern Company, Brown held several leadership positions at BNY, including Executive Platform Owner for Loans Enablement, Chief Information Officer for Issuer Services and Corporate Technology, and Global Head of Enterprise Innovation.

During his tenure at BNY, Brown led global technology transformations, including modernization of enterprise business platforms and development of the Loans Enablement Platform. He managed a team of over 1,200 professionals across 10 international locations.

"Hans’ proven track record in technology and digital innovation will be invaluable as we continue to evolve how we serve customers and run our business," said Southern Company chairman, president and CEO Chris Womack in the press release.

Brown holds an MSc in International Technology Management from Warwick University and an M.Eng in Civil and Structural Engineering from the University of Liverpool.

Southern Company serves 9 million customers across the Southeast through its family of companies, which include electric operating companies in three states and natural gas distribution companies in four states. The company maintains an impressive dividend track record, having raised its dividend for 23 consecutive years, with a current yield of 3.15%. InvestingPro analysis reveals 8 additional key insights about Southern Company’s performance and prospects, available to subscribers along with a comprehensive Pro Research Report that transforms complex Wall Street data into actionable intelligence.

In other recent news, Southern Company has announced significant leadership changes and strategic financial plans. The company appointed David P. Poroch as the new Chief Financial Officer, effective July 31, 2025, succeeding Daniel S. Tucker, who will retire on October 1, 2025. Poroch, who has been with Southern Company since 2012, previously held roles including Comptroller and Chief Financial Officer at Southern Company Gas. In a related development, Southern Company elected John M. Turner, Jr., CEO of Regions Financial Corporation, to its Board of Directors, bringing extensive financial expertise to the board.

Additionally, Southern Company declared a regular quarterly dividend of 74 cents per share, continuing its long-standing tradition of consistent dividend payments for 78 consecutive years. Barclays has also raised its price target for Southern Company to $91, maintaining an Equalweight rating, following expectations of incorporating $10-15 billion of incremental capital into future plans. The firm notes potential asset sales to address higher financing needs, with a formal update on long-term earnings growth rate expected in the fourth quarter. These recent developments reflect Southern Company’s ongoing efforts to strengthen its financial and leadership positions.

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