Southern Company has been named among DiversityInc's Top 50 Companies for Diversity for the third consecutive year, ranking No. 44. Additionally, Southern Company was named No. 3 among the Top Companies for Veterans.

"Diversity and inclusion is embedded in Our Values, driven from the top of our organization, and led locally through all of our operating companies with a wide range of activities and support organizations designed to bring out the best in all of our employees," said Nancy Sykes, executive vice president and chief human resources officer for Southern Company. "Fostering a diverse workforce and inclusive work environment is imperative to the success of Southern Company today and in the future."

This year, DiversityInc noted that Southern Company has four times as many African-American executives in the top two levels of management than the national average for U.S. companies and our executive diversity council, which is chaired by Southern Company Chairman, President and CEO Tom Fanning.

Southern Company rose two spots to No. 3 among the Top Companies for Veterans – recognizing those companies with the best results in recruiting and promoting veterans.

Derived from corporate survey submissions, the annual survey is considered among the most rigorous, data-driven analyses of its kind. Through an independent, metrics-driven evaluation, U.S. employers' diversity management is assessed in four key areas:

• Talent Pipeline: workforce breakdown, recruitment, diameter of existing talent, structures

• Talent Development: employee resource groups, mentoring, philanthropy, movement, fairness

• Leadership Accountability: responsible for results, personal communications, visibility

• Supplier Diversity: spend with companies owned by people from underrepresented groups, accountability, support