BIRMINGHAM, Ala. – January 8, 2015 – Southern Research welcomes to its board of directors retired U.S. Army Major General N. Lee S. Price and Alabama Power Chairman, President and CEO Mark Crosswhite. Their appointments were effective January 1, 2015.
“We are pleased to welcome Lee and Mark to the Southern Research Board of Directors,” said Southern Research President and CEO Art Tipton, Ph.D. “Both of these individuals have tremendous experience that will help guide our organization in the years to come. With our strategic focus on defense, intelligence, and energy and environment, in addition to our life science disciplines, their expertise and involvement will be a significant asset as we map our future direction.”
Price has years of experience leading military and government organizations and is currently president and CEO of Price Solutions, LLC. She has been presented with numerous military awards including the Army Distinguished Service Medal, the Defense Superior Service Medal, the Legion of Merit, the Bronze Star, and the Combat Action Badge.
Prior to starting her consulting firm Price Solutions in 2014, Price built a 38-year career in the U.S. Army. She served as Major General from 2012 to 2014; Program Executive Officer, Command, Control, Communications – Tactical from 2009 to 2013; Deputy Program Manager, Integration from 2008 to 2009; Deputy Acquisition Executive for U.S. Special Operations Command from 2005 to 2008; and Project Manager, Defense Communications and Army Transmission Systems from 2002 to 2005.
Price holds a bachelor’s degree from the University of Alabama at Birmingham, Master of Science in Management Information Systems from the University of Arizona, and Master of Science in National Strategy and Resource Management from the Industrial College of the Armed Forces.
Price is a member of the boards of MTN Government, Thayer Leader Development Group at West Point, Alabama Military Hall of Honor, and Red Gate Group.
Before Crosswhite stepped into his current role at Alabama Power in 2014, he served as executive vice president and chief operating officer of Southern Company, Alabama Power’s parent company, and he served as president and CEO of Gulf Power, also a Southern Company subsidiary. Crosswhite worked for Alabama Power from 2008 to 2011 as executive vice president for external affairs and from 2006 to 2008 as senior vice president and counsel. He joined Southern Company in 2004 as senior vice president and general counsel for Southern Company Generation. Prior to Crosswhite’s 10-year career at Southern Company, he was a partner in the law firm of Balch & Bingham LLP in Birmingham, where he practiced in the energy section for 17 years.
Crosswhite received a bachelor’s degree from the University of Alabama in Huntsville and a J.D. degree from the University of Alabama School of Law.
Crosswhite is chairman of the Economic Development Partnership of Alabama and chairman of the board of the Birmingham Business Alliance. He serves on several corporate, civic and nonprofit boards including Mercedes-Benz U.S. International Inc., the University of Alabama Law School Foundation, and the Virginia Samford Theatre.
“This is great news for Southern Research and Birmingham,” said University of Alabama at Birmingham President Ray L. Watts, who is chair of the Southern Research Board of Directors. “It is exciting to know that the best and brightest in our city value Southern Research and the contributions it continues to make from discovery and economic development standpoints. Lee’s and Mark’s perspectives and talents are sure to make invaluable contributions to the Board.”