Georgia Power announced that its board of directors have elected Bentina Terry senior vice president of the Metro Atlanta Region, effective March 31. Terry succeeds Pedro Cherry who was recently named executive vice president of the company's Customer Service & Operations organization.

In this role, Terry will be responsible for the company's operations, sales, customer service, economic and community development, and external affairs activities for 1.2 million customers across metro Atlanta.

Terry joins Georgia Power from Gulf Power where she served as vice president of customer service and sales. In this role, she was responsible for leadership of the marketing, customer service, and community and economic development efforts for Gulf Power. She served as vice president of external affairs and corporate services prior to moving to her current position at Gulf. Terry has been a member of Gulf Power's management council since 2007.

"Bentina's diverse experience strengthening communities, advancing economic development and leading multiple growth initiatives will prove extremely beneficial in her new role," said Cherry. "Her extensive knowledge of our business and demonstrated external effectiveness will bring tremendous value to the Georgia Power leadership team as well as the Metro Atlanta Region."

Terry began her career with Southern Company in 2001 at Georgia Power, and progressed through leadership roles in compliance, ethics, customer service and power delivery. Prior to joining Gulf Power, she served as vice president of external affairs, general counsel, compliance officer and corporate secretary for Southern Nuclear. She began her career as an associate with Troutman Sanders and then served as associate general counsel for Progress Energy.

A native of Fayetteville, North Carolina, Terry holds a bachelor's degree from North Carolina State University and a juris doctorate from the University of Michigan School of Law. Terry is very active in the community serving on multiple boards including the University of West Florida, Take Stock in Children, the Children's Movement of Florida and Innovation Coast. She is also chair of the Pensacola Symphony Orchestra Board.

She has received numerous awards and recognitions for her contribution to the state and northwest Florida including being named one of Influence Magazine's 100 Most Influential People in Florida Politics in 2015. She has been selected as a member of the "IN Power List" recognizing the top 100 most powerful and influential people in greater Pensacola area for seven consecutive years (2009-2016) and was named number one in April 2016.