Company: SOJE
Filing Date: 2025-04-11
Form Type: DEF 14A
Source: 0000092122-25-000036
Chunk: 25

Company: SOUTHERN CO
Filing Date: 2025-04-11
Form: DEF 14A
Chunk 25
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 and expertise, while our independent Directors bring experience, oversight and expertise from outside the Company and its industry. At the same time, several of our independent Directors have deep experience within our industry, and all of our independent Directors receive comprehensive industry information from diverse sources, both internal and external, to best position them to oversee the Company’s strategy and key risks. 
 4The Board believes that the combined role of Chairman and CEO facilitates the flow of information between management and the Board, which is essential to effective corporate governance. For example, the Board recognizes the importance of presenting the Board with robust and comprehensive meeting agendas and information. As a result, a key element of the Lead Independent Director’s role is working with the Chairman to set the agenda for Board meetings and reviewing and approving the meeting materials.                                                                                                                                                                                          |

While the Board determined that combining the roles of Chairman and CEO under Mr. Womack is appropriate at this time, as part of its annual review, it will continue to evaluate the Board leadership structure considering evolving industry norms, best practices and the Company’s specific needs and strategic objectives.

#### Role of the Lead Independent Director
The Lead Independent Director is elected by the independent Directors of the Board to serve in the role for a period of generally two to three years. Mr. Earley was elected by the independent Directors in May 2024 to serve as Lead Independent Director. The Board’s succession planning process includes the regular review of the skills, qualifications, attributes and experiences of the independent Directors to identify potential future candidates for the Lead Independent Director role.

#### 28Southern Company2025 Proxy Statement

#### Governance
|                                                                                                                                                                           |     | Anthony F. Earley, Jr.                                                                   
 Lead Independent Director                                                                
 Provides strong independent leadership and independent oversight of executive management |     |                                                                                                                                                                          |
| 4Chair executive sessions of the non-management Directors, which are included on the agenda of every regular board meeting, with the ability to call an executive session 
 4Chair Board meetings in the absence of the Chairman                                                                                                                      
 4Work with the Chairman to set the agenda for Board meetings                                                                                                              
 4Approve the agenda (with the ability to add agenda items) and schedule for Board meetings to provide that there is sufficient time for discussion of all agenda items    
 4Approve information sent to the Board                                                                                                                                    
 4Meet regularly with the Chairman                                                                                                                                         |     |                                                                                          |     | 4Act as the principal liaison between the Chairman and the non-management Directors (although every Director has direct and complete access to