JOSEPH M. FARLEY, a nationally and internationally recognized leader in the utility industry for more than 40 years, has been instrumental in the development of nuclear power. During his career with The Southern Company -- first at Alabama Power Company, and then at Southern Nuclear Operating Company -- he realized the potential of nuclear power not just for the thriving Southeast, but for the nation. He demonstrated his dedication to the peaceful use of nuclear energy through leadership roles in such groups as the Institute of Nuclear Power Operations, the American Nuclear Energy Council, the Nuclear Power Oversight Committee, the U.S. Council for Energy Awareness (now the Nuclear Energy Institute) and the Edison Electric Institute.
Mr. Farley was a recipient of the Nuclear Energy Assembly's William S. Lee Award for Industry Leadership in 1997 and the Henry Dewolf Smyth Award in 1999. He was named by President Bush to the Bush/Cheney Energy Transition Team in January, 2001.
Mr. Farley practices in the firm's Energy section, advising clients on a variety of electric industry and nuclear policy issues.
A native of Birmingham, Alabama, Mr. Farley attended Birmingham-Southern College and then received an engineering degree from Princeton University in 1948. After earning his law degree from Harvard University in 1952, he began his career with The Southern Company upon joining the law firm of Martin, Turner, Blakey & Bouldin as an associate member. His duties included working with Alabama Power Company on various legal and regulatory matters. In 1957, he became a member of the firm, then known as Martin & Blakey.
In 1965, he was elected Executive Vice President and a member of the Board of Directors of Alabama Power Company, responsible for the Company's governmental and public affairs activities.
Mr. Farley became President of Alabama Power Company in 1969 and the following year assumed the responsibilities of Chief Executive Officer. During his 20 years of leadership, he steered the Company through an era of unprecedented change and turmoil, while at the same time overseeing an aggressive construction program providing the electric energy needed to sustain economic growth in Alabama into the next century.
Part of that program was construction of a two-unit nuclear power plant near Dothan, Alabama, named in his honor. The Joseph M. Farley Nuclear Plant is recognized worldwide, setting records for continuous operation and ranking among the top U.S. nuclear plants in terms of safety, production and efficiency.
Mr. Farley was an early participant in the Institute of Nuclear Power Operations and served on the Board of Directors from 1982 to 1989. In 1987, he assumed the role of Chairman of the INPO Board of Directors and served in that capacity until 1989.
After leaving Alabama Power in 1989, Mr. Farley became Executive Vice President-Nuclear of The Southern Company. In that position, he guided the formation of the nuclear subsidiary, Southern Nuclear Operating Co., which was formed for the purpose of operating The Southern Company's six nuclear units. He subsequently was named President, CEO and director of Southern Nuclear. During this time he continued his service to the nuclear power industry, serving as Chairman of the American Nuclear Energy Council from 1989 until 1992, and as a member of the Board of Directors of the U.S. Council for Energy Awareness. At the 1989 inaugural meeting in Moscow of the World Organization of Nuclear Operations (WANO), Mr. Farley was one of 49 representatives from the United States. At the meeting, nuclear operators from around the world signed an accord pledging to exchange nuclear power information. He also was among the first group of Westerners ever allowed access to the Chernobyl plant.
During his time at Southern Nuclear, Mr. Farley was often called upon to present testimony to the United States Congress on nuclear-related issues. His expertise was acknowledged and sought after by regulatory bodies, legislators and utility executives. After his retirement from Southern, he continued to contribute to the future of nuclear power by serving as Chairman of the Nuclear Power Oversight Committee Ad Hoc Committee on Advanced Reactors.
Since his retirement from Southern Nuclear in 1992, Mr. Farley has been of counsel at Balch & Bingham LLP. He also sits on a variety of boards, such as Torchmark and Children's HealthSystem, and is involved in a host of civic and charitable community endeavors.
PROFESSIONAL ACTIVITIES
- American Bar Association
- Birmingham Bar Association
- American Nuclear Energy Council, Former Chairman of the Board
- American Nuclear Society, Member
- U.S. Council for Energy Awareness, Former Member, Board of Directors
- Institute of Nuclear Power Operations, Former Member, Board of Directors and Chairman
- National Association of Manufacturers, Former Member, Board of Directors
- Edison Electric Institute, Former Member, Board of Directors
- Public Affairs Research Council of Alabama, Member, Board of Directors
- Torchmark Corporation, Former Member of Board of Directors
- AmSouth Bancorporation, Former Board Member
- Alabama Children's Hospital Foundation, Board Member
- Southern Research Institute, Former Chairman of the Board of Trustees
- Tuskegee University, Former Member of the Board of Trustees