SO announces CFO succession as Poroch steps up, Tucker to advise through 2027

Rhea-AI Filing Summary

On July 10, 2025, The Southern Company (NYSE: SO) filed an 8-K announcing a planned CFO transition. Current Comptroller David P. Poroch (age 56) will become Executive Vice President & Chief Financial Officer effective July 31, 2025. He succeeds Daniel S. Tucker, who will step down the same day, continue as senior advisor to the CEO and retire on October 1, 2025. Post-retirement, Tucker will provide consulting services to Southern Company Services from Oct 1 2025–Sep 30 2027 for $300,000 cash per year. Poroch’s new-role compensation has not yet been determined; material changes will be disclosed in an amended filing. No other operational or financial metrics were included.

Positive

• Internal promotion of an experienced executive suggests continuity and reduced execution risk.
• Structured handover with outgoing CFO remaining as advisor through retirement limits knowledge loss.

Negative

• Leadership turnover can introduce uncertainty until the new CFO establishes credibility with investors.
• Compensation details pending for incoming CFO, leaving future cost impact undisclosed.

Insights

Corporate Governance Expert

TL;DR: Internal promotion ensures continuity; structured handover limits risk, overall neutral corporate-governance impact.

The board selected a long-tenured finance executive, David Poroch, signalling preference for institutional knowledge and smooth transition. Overlapping service—Tucker as advisor until Oct 1 and consultant for two additional years—reduces succession risk and preserves access to historical knowledge. Consulting fee of $300,000 annually is modest relative to SO’s scale and customary for Fortune 500 transitions. Because compensation for the incoming CFO remains undisclosed, investors lack clarity on future cost structure, but this is expected in a later amendment. From a governance lens, planned disclosure and board oversight appear adequate; impact is largely neutral.

Sell-Side Utilities Analyst

TL;DR: CFO change unlikely to alter utility’s low-risk financial profile; watch for updated guidance once Poroch assumes role.

Southern’s finance leadership change is well sign-posted and involves an insider with 10+ years across operating subsidiaries, suggesting minimal disruption to capital-intensive projects and credit metrics. Tucker’s advisory role mitigates transition hiccups. The $300k consulting expense is immaterial to SO’s earnings base (~$3 bn FY24 net income). Investors should monitor Q3 results or amended 8-K for Poroch’s compensation package and any shift in capital allocation or rate-case posture, though historically Southern’s strategy is board-driven rather than CFO-driven. I view the announcement as non-impactful to valuation and maintain neutral stance.

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UNITED STATES

SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION

Washington, D. C. 20549

FORM 8-K

CURRENT REPORT

Pursuant to Section 13 or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934

Date of Report (Date of earliest event reported) July 10, 2025

Commission
File Number Registrant,
State of Incorporation,
Address and Telephone Number I.R.S. Employer
Identification No.

1-3526 The Southern Company 58-0690070

(A Delaware Corporation)

30 Ivan Allen Jr. Boulevard, N.W.

Atlanta, Georgia 30308

(404) 506-5000

The name and address of the registrant have not changed since the last report.

Check the appropriate box below if the Form 8-K filing is intended to simultaneously satisfy the filing obligation of the registrant under any of the following provisions:

☐			Written communications pursuant to Rule 425 under the Securities Act (17 CFR 230.425)
☐			Soliciting material pursuant to Rule 14a-12 under the Exchange Act (17 CFR 240.14a-12)
☐			Pre-commencement communications pursuant to Rule 14d-2(b) under the Exchange Act (17 CFR 240.14d-2(b))
☐			Pre-commencement communications pursuant to Rule 13e-4(c) under the Exchange Act (17 CFR 240.13e-4(c))

Securities registered pursuant to Section 12(b) of the Act:

Registrant			Title of each class			Trading Symbol(s)			Name of each exchange on which registered
The Southern Company			Common Stock, par value $5 per share			SO			New York Stock Exchange
The Southern Company			Series 2017B 5.25% Junior Subordinated Notes due 2077			SOJC			New York Stock Exchange
The Southern Company			Series 2020A 4.95% Junior Subordinated Notes due 2080			SOJD			New York Stock Exchange
The Southern Company			Series 2020C 4.20% Junior Subordinated Notes due 2060			SOJE			New York Stock Exchange
The Southern Company			Series 2021B 1.875% Fixed-to-Fixed Reset Rate Junior Subordinated Notes due 2081			SO 81			New York Stock Exchange
The Southern Company			Series 2025A 6.50% Junior Subordinated Notes due 2085			SOJF			New York Stock Exchange

Indicate by check mark whether the registrant is an emerging growth company as defined in Rule 405 of the Securities Act of 1933 (§230.405 of this chapter) or Rule 12b-2 of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 (§240.12b-2 of this chapter).

Emerging growth company  ☐

If an emerging growth company, indicate by check mark if the registrant has elected not to use the extended transition period for complying with any new or revised financial accounting standards provided pursuant to Section 13(a) of the Exchange Act.  ☐

Item 5.02. Departure of Directors or Certain Officers; Election of Directors; Appointment of Certain Officers; Compensatory Arrangements of Certain Officers.

On July 10, 2025, the Board of Directors of The Southern Company (“Southern Company”) appointed David P. Poroch, currently Comptroller of Southern Company, to serve as Executive Vice President and Chief Financial Officer of Southern Company, effective July 31, 2025.

Mr. Poroch will succeed Daniel S. Tucker, who, on July 10, 2025, announced he will retire from Southern Company, effective October 1, 2025. Mr. Tucker will step down as Executive Vice President and Chief Financial Officer of Southern Company, effective July 31, 2025, and will continue employment as a senior advisor to the Chief Executive Officer of Southern Company through his retirement on October 1, 2025.

In connection with his retirement, Mr. Tucker and Southern Company Services, Inc. (“SCS”) expect to enter into a consulting agreement (the “Consulting Agreement”). Pursuant to the Consulting Agreement, it is expected Mr. Tucker will serve as a consultant to SCS from October 1, 2025 to September 30, 2027 and SCS will pay Mr. Tucker $300,000 in cash for each year of his consulting services. The foregoing description of the Consulting Agreement does not purport to be complete and is qualified by reference to the full text of the Consulting Agreement, a copy of which will be filed as an exhibit to Southern Company’s Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for the quarterly period ended September 30, 2025.

Mr. Poroch, 56, has served as Comptroller of Southern Company since March 2023. Previously he served as Executive Vice President, Chief Financial Officer, Chief Risk Officer, and Treasurer of Southern Company Gas from January 2021 to February 2023. Prior to joining Southern Company Gas, he served at Georgia Power Company as Executive Vice President, Chief Financial Officer, and Treasurer from April 2019 to December 2020 and as Comptroller from August 2014 to August 2020.

Compensation decisions for Mr. Poroch in his new role have not yet been made; once available, any material changes to his compensation will be reported by an amendment to this Current Report on Form 8-K.

SIGNATURE

Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, the registrant has duly caused this report to be signed on its behalf by the undersigned hereunto duly authorized.

Date: July 11, 2025			THE SOUTHERN COMPANY
			By			/s/Melissa K. Caen
						Melissa K. Caen Assistant Secretary

2

FAQ

Who is Southern Company (SO) appointing as its new CFO?

The Board appointed David P. Poroch, currently Comptroller, as Executive Vice President & CFO effective July 31 2025.

When will current CFO Daniel S. Tucker retire from Southern Company?

Tucker will retire on October 1, 2025 after serving as senior advisor from July 31 to his retirement date.

What are the terms of Daniel Tucker’s consulting agreement?

From Oct 1 2025 to Sep 30 2027, he will consult for Southern Company Services for $300,000 per year.

Has Southern Company disclosed David Poroch’s new compensation package?

No. The filing states compensation decisions are pending; material changes will be reported in an amended 8-K.

Does the 8-K include any new financial guidance or earnings data?

No. The filing focuses solely on the CFO transition and contains no earnings or guidance updates.