Bryan Batson is executive vice president of external affairs and chief external and public affairs officer of Southern Company Gas. In this role, he has responsibility for the company’s external affairs, corporate communications, marketing, customer service, community relations and economic development, and environmental affairs.

In addition, he serves as president of the company’s foundation, which focuses on philanthropic and volunteer initiatives. Batson also is a member of the Southern Company Gas Management Council. Southern Company Gas is a subsidiary of Southern Company.

Previously, Batson was president of Atlanta Gas Light and Chattanooga Gas and senior vice president for Southern Company Gas. In this role, Batson oversaw all aspects of operations for the company’s two southern region natural gas utilities, which serve approximately 1.6 million customers in two states.

In his 36 years of professional experience with Southern Company Gas, Batson has held leadership roles including senior vice president of commercial operations, senior vice president of governmental and regulatory affairs, senior vice president of external affairs, vice president of regulatory compliance and affairs, director of state regulatory affairs, division engineer, division manager and service center manager.

Passionate about serving his community, Batson has served on a variety of non-profit and industry boards and is currently serving on the boards of directors for Southern Company Gas’ Charitable Foundation; Central Atlanta Progress; the Georgia Nature Conservancy; Regional Business Coalition of Metropolitan Atlanta; Council for Quality Growth; and the Georgia Chamber of Commerce. He also serves as chairman for the Georgia Chamber Energy and Natural Resources Policy Committee; member and past president of the Technical College System of Georgia Foundation Board of Trustees; and a member of the Atlanta Committee for Progress Community and Government Affairs Advisory Council.

Batson received his bachelor’s degree in civil engineering from Clemson University and is a registered professional engineer. He also holds a master’s in technology management from Mercer University. Batson is a graduate of Leadership Atlanta, Class of 2004; and Leadership Georgia, Class of 1997.

Batson and his wife, Kathleen, are residents of Sandy Springs, Ga. He has one daughter, India.