Company: SOJE
Filing Date: 2025-04-11
Form Type: DEF 14A
Source: 0000092122-25-000036
Chunk: 24

Company: SOUTHERN CO
Filing Date: 2025-04-11
Form: DEF 14A
Chunk 24
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 4Oversee information, activities and events relative to significant operations of the Southern Company system including nuclear and other power generation facilities, electric transmission and distribution, natural gas distribution and storage, fuel and information technology initiatives. 
 4Oversee business strategies designed to address the long-term reduction of GHG emissions, fleet transition and related risks and opportunities across the Company.                                                                                                                               |     |                 |     |                        |     | 4Oversee significant environmental and safety regulation, policy and operational matters, including net zero carbon strategies.                       
 4Oversee the Southern Company system’s management of significant construction projects.                                                               
 4Provide input to the Compensation and Talent Development Committee on the key operational goals and metrics for the incentive compensation programs. |     |                   |
| The Board has determined that each member of the Operations, Environmental and Safety Committee is independent.                                                                                                                                                                                   |     |                 |     |                        |     |                                                                                                                                                       |     |                   |

#### Southern Company2025 Proxy Statement27

#### Governance

#### Board Composition and Structure

#### Board Leadership Structure
Our Corporate Governance Guidelines and our By-Laws allow the independent Directors to determine the appropriate Board leadership structure for Southern Company, including the flexibility to split or combine the Chairman and CEO responsibilities. The independent Directors annually, and at other appropriate times, review our Board leadership structure to determine the structure that is in the best interests of the Company and its stockholders.

The Board believes there is no single best leadership structure that is the most effective in all circumstances and that a rigid leadership structure could impede the Board’s effectiveness and ability to act in the best interests of the Company, its stockholders and the customers and communities we serve. The broad range of backgrounds, experiences and expertise of our independent Directors provide the Board with a diverse range of perspectives from which to determine the leadership structure best suited for the Company and the long-term interests of its stockholders.

| 4The combined role of Chairman and CEO is held by Chris Womack, who is the Director most familiar with our business and industry (including the regulatory structure and other industry-specific matters) and is most capable of effectively identifying strategic priorities and leading discussion and execution of strategy. During his tenure as Chairman and CEO, Mr. Womack has proven instrumental in driving forward Southern Company’s strategic priorities.                                                                                                                                                                                                                                               
 4The Board believes that the combined role of Chairman and CEO promotes the development and execution of our strategy. Independent Directors and management have different perspectives and roles in strategy development. The CEO brings Company-specific experience