In this role, he helps ensure the delivery of clean, safe, reliable and affordable natural gas to 4.4 million utility customers in Georgia, Illinois, Tennessee and Virginia, and to over 600,000 retail gas customers served by SouthStar Energy Services in 10 states. He also oversees nonutility businesses that deliver value through energy-related products and services, wholesale gas services and gas midstream operations including gas pipeline investments, storage and fuels.

Kerr began his Southern Company career in 2014 as the executive vice president, chief legal officer, and chief compliance officer where he led the Office of the General Counsel, which includes the company’s legal, corporate governance, audit and compliance functions. During his tenure, he helped direct the successful execution and regulatory approval of several transactions including the merger with AGL Resources, acquisition of PowerSecure, and divestitures of Gulf Power and other assets.

Before joining Southern Company, Kerr was a partner at McGuireWoods LLP and senior advisor at McGuireWoods Consulting LLC. Kerr was a member of the North Carolina Utilities Commission, which regulates the rates and services of all public utilities in the state, for eight years. He served as president of the National Association of Regulatory Utility Commissioners from 2007 to 2008 and president of the Southeastern Association of Regulatory Utility Commissioners from 2002 to 2003.

Kerr has established himself as a respected voice in the energy industry due to his extensive knowledge of federal and state energy policy and regulations from his work as a utility executive, an attorney in private practice, and a public servant. In his career, Kerr has been asked to testify on a variety of energy and regulatory issues before the United States Congress, the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission and state legislatures.

His involvement in the community demonstrates his commitment to the customers we are privileged to serve. Currently, he serves on the board of directors of the Georgia Aquarium and the mental health treatment organization, Skyland Trail. He also serves on the American Gas Association, where he leads the organization’s Policy Council Committee, as well as the National Petroleum Council. In addition, he holds a position on the executive committee of the Metro Atlanta Chamber of Commerce and is a member of the Rotary Club of Atlanta.

Additionally, Kerr is a former director of the Electric Power Research Institute and vice chair of the Institute for the Environment board of visitors for the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill.

Kerr earned a bachelor’s degree, cum laude, from Washington and Lee University and a juris doctorate degree, with honors, from the University of North Carolina School of Law. He and his wife, Frances, have two children.