Southern Telecom, Inc., a subsidiary of Southern Company, announced the appointment of industry veteran Michael E. Britt as Southern Telecom president & CEO, effective immediately. Britt will lead Southern Telecom as the company continues to provide long-haul and metropolitan dark fiber connecting Atlanta with other cities throughout the Southeast. In addition to leading the Southern Telecom business, Britt is responsible for the continued development of the telecommunications infrastructure strategy   for Southern Company’s electric utilities. This includes supporting systemwide and individual operating company efforts to advance telecommunications infrastructure for future digitization needs and for identifying opportunities to grow telecom revenue. Britt follows Tami Barron as president of Southern Telecom. Barron continues to serve as President and CEO of Southern Linc, another Southern Company subsidiary.

The executive appointment of Britt comes at a critical time for the company as STI works to address and meet new industry challenges presented by the COVID-19 global pandemic.

“At this pivotal time in the history of telecom for Southern Company, I am honored to serve as STI’s new President and CEO,” comments Mr. Britt.  “In this time of uncertainty and significantly increased bandwidth needs as telecommuting increases rapidly around the world, STI has taken a proactive approach to listen to our customers’ needs and provide reliable dark fiber that can facilitate last mile connections across the Southeast. Additionally, as we look at the ever-expanding role that data, automation and the internet of things play in our world, I see great opportunities for Southern Telecom’s dark fiber network.”

Britt rejoined Southern Company in 2015 as vice president of the Energy Innovation Center to focus on developing and commercializing products and services that benefit system customers. While at Southern Company during the late 1990s, he served as assistant to the chief information officer, director of mass market strategy and vice president of Southern Telecom.

Wayne Ellis, General Manager to retire after 22 years at Southern Telecom

In conjunction with the announcement of Britt’s appointment, Southern Telecom also announced the retirement of General Manager Wayne Ellis, leader of Southern Telecom’s daily operations since its formation in 1998. Prior to serving at Southern Telecom, Ellis served Southern Company in sales and marketing, market research and planning, distribution operations, and power generation project development. Ellis will retire from Southern Company in late June.

“Over the past 22 years, Wayne and his team have grown the Southern Telecom dark fiber business into a robust enterprise that has contributed to the success of Southern Company,” commented Britt. “He will be greatly missed by all who have benefited from his dedication to Southern Telecom and Southern Company.”

Southern Telecom and COVID-19

Southern Telecom has implemented remote management of its dark fiber network to protect the health of its employees. Sales personnel are available to assist customers by telephone and email. Every employee who can work from home is doing so. Field teams are applying safe work practices to their tasks as they continue to provide onsite network support where needed.