PowerSouth Energy Cooperative appointed Damon Morgan as president and CEO, effective June 1, succeeding Gary Smith.
A leadership transition at PowerSouth Energy Cooperative is set to start in early June, with Damon Morgan named president and CEO.
In a decision announced Monday, PowerSouth’s Board of Trustees tapped Morgan to take the top role effective June 1.. The cooperative says Morgan brings more than four decades of experience across the organization. currently serving as executive vice president and chief operating officer since 2013. where he oversees generation and transmission operations.
Why it matters: The president and CEO role is central for utilities and cooperatives, shaping everything from reliability planning to day-to-day operational priorities.
Morgan succeeds Gary Smith, who is scheduled to retire June 1 after 36 years with PowerSouth. The cooperative notes Smith led the organization as CEO for 26 years, marking what it calls the longest tenure of any CEO in PowerSouth’s history.
As the transition approaches, PowerSouth framed the change as a continuity effort.. Smith described Morgan as someone who understands the company’s business. its employees. and the challenges ahead. expressing confidence in moving forward while maintaining commitments that include safety. member unity. and reliable. affordable power for the communities served.
Why it matters: Long-serving executives often leave behind more than a position change; they can set institutional expectations that determine how new leadership handles infrastructure, costs, and service obligations.
For Morgan, the board’s decision points to internal experience as a key credential.. In addition to his current operational oversight. the cooperative highlighted his engineering background. including a bachelor’s degree in electrical engineering from Auburn University and professional engineer certification.
PowerSouth also offered personal context, noting Morgan is from Escambia County, Florida, and that he and his wife, Dorothy, have three sons and six grandchildren. The transition is expected to be carried out over the coming weeks as Smith’s retirement date nears.
Why it matters: In the utility sector, leadership continuity during transitions can affect planning cycles and operational momentum, even when major policy and market pressures are beyond any single executive’s control.