ATLANTA — Georgia’s Board of Regents formalized the hiring Thursday, October 1, 2026, of Thomas A. Fanning as the next leader of the state’s 25 public colleges and universities, officially naming him chancellor. Fanning, who brings a wealth of experience from his prior role as president and CEO of Southern Company, is slated to assume control of the University System of Georgia (USG) on January 1, marking a significant transition for the state's higher education landscape. His appointment will take effect the day after Sonny Perdue, the current chancellor, retires from his position. The Board of Regents had previously designated Fanning as the sole finalist for the chancellorship last month, a move that set the stage for Thursday’s formal hiring.
Fanning’s professional background before this chancellorship includes a distinguished tenure at Southern Company. He held the pivotal leadership roles of president and CEO from 2010 to 2023, overseeing one of the nation's largest utility companies. Beyond his direct corporate leadership, Fanning has also demonstrated a commitment to broader public and economic service. He chaired the Cybersecurity Advisory Committee of the Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency, contributing expertise to national infrastructure protection. Furthermore, his experience extends to the financial sector, where he presided over the board of the Federal Reserve Bank of Atlanta, providing insights into regional economic policy.
As a USG alumnus, Fanning has a deep personal connection to the system he will now lead. He is a proud graduate of Georgia Tech, where he earned both his bachelor’s degree and went on to complete a master’s degree. This direct experience within the system informs his perspective, as he stated in a statement that he knows "firsthand the transformative power of this system." Looking ahead, Fanning has articulated his primary objectives for the University System of Georgia. These priorities are centered on ensuring that college education remains broadly accessible to all prospective students across the state, fostering an environment that actively supports and promotes innovation within the diverse institutions of the system, and crucially, driving Georgia's economy forward by consistently producing talented graduates who are well-prepared for the demands of the modern workforce.
The comprehensive search for Chancellor Perdue’s successor was a five-month process, which commenced after Perdue announced his intention to retire in April. Perdue’s tenure at the helm of the university system spanned four years. Prior to his leadership of the USG, Perdue’s career in public service included high-profile roles at both the state and federal levels. He notably served as agriculture secretary for President Donald Trump during Trump's first term in the White House. Before his federal appointment, Perdue held a historic position within Georgia politics, making history as the state’s first Republican governor since the Reconstruction era, a term he began in 2003. This extensive background provides context to the leadership transition now underway for Georgia's public colleges and universities.