South Alabama Electric Cooperative Board President Jimmy Shaver announced that David Bailey, SAEC staff assistant, has been selected to succeed current General Manager, Max Davis, at the helm of the 16,400 meter electric cooperative.

“Our board is impressed with the depth of experience and the qualifications that David brings to this role,” said Shaver. “We are excited for the future of the co-op with his leadership.”

Bailey is a native of the New Hope Community in Coffee County and a graduate of Troy University, where he earned a Bachelor of Science degree in Accounting. He is a Certified Public Accountant and is an active member of the American Institute of Certified Public Accountants, and the Alabama Society of Certified Public Accountants. Before starting his career as staff assistant with SAEC in 1993, Bailey was an audit manager with Jackson Thornton & Company in Montgomery.

While working at SAEC, Bailey oversaw the financial operation of the cooperative, specifically in the preparation of the cooperative’s financial and operating budgets.

He has worked closely with the general manager in the development and evaluation of SAEC utility rates and in the preparation of the long-term construction work plans and loan applications.

He managed the cooperative’s debt portfolio as well.

Bailey helped to establish the cooperative’s Revolving Loan Fund for industrial development and also assisted with the origination of the cooperative’s energy conservation loan program that assists the local military base with meeting its conservation measures set forth by the United States Department of the Army.  He has also received his Certified Key Account Executive designation through the National Rural Electric Cooperative Association.

Outside of the cooperative, Bailey serves on the Alabama Rural Electric Credit Union Supervisory Committee and has served on the Alabama Society of CPA’s Industry Advisory Committee.  He is an active member of New Hope Baptist Church where he serves as treasurer and deacon.  He and his wife, Nelda, have two children, Whitney and Ashley, and one grandchild, Kristian.