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Becky Blalock is SVP and CIO of the Southern Company. She directs information technology strategy and operations across the 120,000 square miles and all subsidiaries of the company. She leads more than 1,100 employees in information technology delivery to one of America’s most respected companies. In this segment she talks about what it takes to be successful as a CIO and her mentoring advice for others.

In her 33 years at Southern Company, Blalock has held 12 different positions ranging from financial analyst to her current role as SVP and CIO.

Under her leadership, Southern Company has been consistently recognized as one of the 100 Most Innovative Companies by CIO Magazine and one of the 100 Best Places to Work in IT by Computerworld Magazine. Over the years she has been named CIO of the Year by various organizations including Energy Biz Magazine, Computers or Youth, the Georgia CIO Leadership Association.

Blalock’s leadership in the corporate world includes serving on the advisory board for Oracle and AT&T.

Here are Becky’s tips for being a transformational leader:

1) Believe in communication – in the absence of communication, there will be miscommunication

2) Build the best team.  Surround yourself with talent and motivate them.

3) Being a leader begins and ends with integrity.