Clay Ryan, formerly the vice chancellor of external affairs for the University of Alabama System, has been named senior vice president of external affairs for Alabama Power following the retirement of Zeke Smith.
Alabama Power CEO and President Jeff Peoples announced the change in an internal email on Wednesday.
“In this role, he will assume responsibility for governmental and corporate affairs as well as charitable giving,” Peoples said.
Ryan’s role at Alabama Power was immediate.
Prior to joining the University of Alabama System, Ryan chaired the governmental and regulatory affairs practice group at Alabama-based Maynard Nexsen.
Smith has been with Alabama Power for more than 40 years and announced his retirement in October.
“Clay is a proven leader who shares our commitment to serving the state,” Peoples said in a press release. “We look forward to working together to meet the current and future needs of our customers.”
Ryan earned a Bachelor of Arts from Birmingham-Southern College and a Juris Doctor from the University of Alabama School of Law, where he was editor of the Alabama Law Review.
Alabama Power, a subsidiary of Atlanta-based Southern Company, provides electricity to 1.5 million customers in Alabama.