PowerSouth announced today several organizational changes and promotions to better focus on future strategic initiatives and priorities for the cooperative and its 20 distribution members.

Brian Matheson, former Lowman Power Plant Manager, has been named PowerSouth’s Director of Engineering. In his new role, Matheson will lead the Engineering and Construction, Telecommunications and Computer Information Services departments. The Engineering division will be responsible for coordinating workplans with the distribution members for new substations and renewable resources, as well as telecommunication services and infrastructure expansion. Additionally, Matheson will direct PowerSouth’s Computer and Information Systems migration plans, operations and software development.

Josh Hilburn has been promoted to Distribution Engineer/Assistant to Director in the Engineering division. In his prior role, he served as Principal Engineer in the Transmission and Distribution (T&D) Planning and Reliability department.

PowerSouth’s Transmission division has been consolidated under the leadership of Terry Wilson as Director of T&D Operations. Wilson is responsible for the Substation Operations and Maintenance (O&M), T&D Technical Services and Transmission O&M departments. Wilson most recently served as Manager of T&D Operations.

Joe Armstrong, who was recently promoted to Transmission O&M Superintendent, will continue that role in the T&D Operations division, while assuming the responsibility of Fleet Services.

Brian Salter has been named Substation O&M Manager in the T&D Operations division, being promoted from Substation O&M Superintendent.

Jonathon Ellison has been promoted to T&D Technical Services Manager in the T&D Operations division, where he is responsible for PowerSouth’s Automation, Metering and System Protection departments. Ellison most recently served as Superintendent of Automation, Metering and System Protection.

Jay Farrington, former T&D Planning and Reliability Manager, will now serve as Planning, Compliance and Regulatory Manager and report to Damon Morgan, PowerSouth’s Chief Operating Officer.

Finally, PowerSouth is establishing a new structure that will address both the legal and engineering challenges of utility compliance to solidify a strong companywide compliance culture. Art Brunson will lead this effort as the Director of Legal Affairs and Compliance. Brunson most recently served as Manager of Legal Affairs. In his new role, Brunson will continue to report to Beth Woodard, Vice President of Legal & Corporate Affairs.

“These organizational changes and promotions will allow PowerSouth to better focus our attention on our members’ needs and address the ever-changing utility compliance challenges,” said Gary Smith, PowerSouth President and CEO.

Matheson joined PowerSouth in 1996 as Engineer II at the Lowman Power Plant. His successive positions included Engineer I, Principal Engineer, Assistant Plant Superintendent and Technical Services Superintendent. He was named Lowman Plant Manager in 2011. A native of Leroy, Ala., Matheson received his computer engineering degree from Auburn University.

Hilburn joined PowerSouth in 2000 as Engineer III in the System Protection department and has held the positions of Engineer II, Engineer I and Principal Engineer. A native of Andalusia, Ala., he received his electrical engineering degree from Auburn University and is a Licensed Professional Engineer.

Wilson was hired as an Electrical Engineer in 1986 and has filled the role of System Protection Engineer, Technical Support Supervisor, Superintendent of Technical Services, Substation and System Performance Superintendent and, most recently, T&D Operations and Maintenance Manager. A native of Andalusia, Ala., he received an electrical engineering degree from Auburn University and is a Licensed Professional Engineer.

Armstrong joined PowerSouth in 2000 as Engineer III in the Engineering Services department. He served as Engineer II, Engineer I and Principal Engineer before assuming his prior role as Transmission O&M Superintendent in 2013. A native of Andalusia, Ala., he earned a civil engineering degree from the University of Alabama and is a Licensed Professional Engineer.

Brian Salter was hired as Engineer III in the System Protection department in 2001. He has served as Engineer II, Engineer I, Principal Engineer and Substation O&M Superintendent. Salter is a native of Munson, Fla., and received an electrical engineering degree from Auburn University.

Ellison, hired in 2003 as Engineer III in the Operating Services department, has served also as Engineer II, Engineer I, Principal Engineer and Superintendent of Automation, Metering and System Protection. He is a native of Jacksonville, Ala., and received his electrical engineering degree from Auburn University. He is a Licensed Professional Engineer.

Farrington was hired as Electrical Engineer-Relay in 1979 and has served as Relay Engineer, Operating Services Manager, Operating Services Department Manager and T&D Planning and Reliability Manager. A native of Boaz, Ala., he earned an electrical engineering degree from the University of Alabama and is a Licensed Professional Engineer.

Brunson joined PowerSouth in 1999 as Attorney II. His successive roles include Attorney I, Legal Affairs Supervisor and Legal Affairs Manager. A native of Elba, Ala., he earned an accounting degree from University of Alabama and a Juris Doctor degree from Vanderbilt University School of Law. He was admitted to the Alabama State Bar in 1993.