Chris Cummiskey serves as executive vice president of External Affairs and Nuclear Development for Georgia Power. Named to the position in May 2015, he leads the company’s policies and activities in community and economic development, corporate communication, environmental affairs, governmental and regulatory affairs, land management, and nuclear development. He also works closely with the company’s region officers, who are responsible for managing Georgia Power’s field operations. Prior to his current position, he served as chief commercial officer of Southern Power. In this role, he led the expansion of wholesale marketing activities, including business development, acquisitions and asset management for Southern Power. From 2011 to 2013, Cummiskey served as commissioner of the Georgia Department of Economic Development (GDEcD), where he led more than 500 company locations or expansions in Georgia, creating 46,700 jobs and nearly $9 billion in capital investment. Under his leadership, the tourism industry also registered $49 billion in total economic impact in Georgia in 2011, and the impact of the film industry reached a new record at $3.1 billion in the state in 2012. Prior to joining GDEcD, Cummiskey was a manager and director of energy and gas derivatives trading for companies including RWE Americas, Mirant and Mieco. He also served as a state director for U.S. Sen. Johnny Isakson of Georgia, chief of staff for the speaker of the Georgia House of Representatives, and director of state relations for the University of Georgia. Cummiskey serves on the board of directors of the Georgia Ports Authority, the Georgia board of trustees for the Nature Conservancy, and is a member of the Woodruff Arts Center governing board. He also currently serves on three boards for the University of Georgia, including the Research Foundation board of directors, the Honor’s Program advisory board and the Athletics board of directors. Cummiskey earned his bachelor’s degree in business administration from the University of Georgia. He and his wife, Rebecca, reside in Atlanta

 innovative energy and research