Special to the Reporter

The Gulf Power Company board of directors has elected Susan Nolen Story as president and chief executive officer, replacing Tom Fanning who is leaving the utility to become chief financial officer of Southern Company, Gulf Power’s parent firm.

Story’s previous position was executive vice president of engineering and construction services for Southern Company Generation and Energy Marketing in Birmingham.

She has more than 20 years experience in the utility industry, including a number of executive positions with Alabama Power Company.

&uot;Gulf Power is on the right course,&uot; Story said. &uot;We have very competitive rates, a great environmental record, high customer satisfaction and for the second year in a row Southern Company and Gulf Power have been named America’s Most Admired Electric and Gas Utility by Fortune magazine. My challenge is to continue that track record.&uot;

Story has served as vice president of procurement and materials for Southern Company Services and vice president of Corporate Services and Corporate Real Estate for Alabama Power where she began her career as a nuclear engineer in 1982.

&uot;Susan Story is a proven leader and she will be a great asset to Gulf Power and the communities of Northwest Florida,&uot; Allen Franklin, Southern Company president and chief executive officer said.

&uot;Susan also will be a member of Southern Company’s management council, where her energy and insights will be of significant value to our shareholders.&uot;

Story is married to Dr. Joseph L. Story, a family medicine physician in Columbiana.

A native of Albertville, AL., Story has a bachelor’s degree in industrial engineering from Auburn University and a master’s of business administration from the University of Alabama at Birmingham.

In 2002, she was chosen UAB’s School of Business Alumnus of the Year.

Also in 2002, Story was recognized as one of the Top 10 Women in Business by the Birmingham Business Journal.

She was named Auburn University’s Industrial Engineering Department’s Alumnus of the Year in 1996.

Her extensive community involvement includes leadership roles with the Girl Scouts of America, the Young Women’s Christian Association and the American Heart Association.

She also serves on the board of directors of the Brookwood Medical Center and the Association of Edison Illuminating Companies.

&uot;Gulf Power has a great reputation for community leadership, environmental leadership and customer service leadership,&uot; Story said.

&uot;That’s because of what the employees of Gulf Power do every day.

I am proud to be part of this great organization and I look forward to getting to know our customers in Northwest Florida.&uot;