Greene Named 2021 Nathan W. Dougherty Award Winner
Kim Greene began her education at UT as an undergraduate student in 1984, majoring in what was then called engineering science and mechanics, now a part of the Department of Mechanical, Aerospace, and Biomedical Engineering (MABE).
After graduating in 1988, Greene earned a masters in biomedical engineering from the University of Alabama at Birmingham (UAB) in 1990, and an MBA in finance from Samford University in 1996. Additionally, she completed the advanced management program at Harvard Business School in 2011.
Through two stints at Southern Company—interrupted by a nearly six-year period where she joined TVA as chief financial officer, later holding additional roles including chief generation officer—Greene has served in many senior roles, including president of Southern Company Services, chief operating officer, and her current role as chairman, president, and chief executive officer for Southern Company Gas, one of the country’s largest natural gas providers, serving more than 4.3 million customers in four states.
In recognition of her career, her efforts in support of her alma mater, and her overall contributions to engineering, Greene has been named the Nathan W. Dougherty Award winner for 2021.
It’s an incredible honor and privilege to be selected for this award. To see the names of the people who have been chosen before me and to know that I am joining their ranks is exceedingly humbling. I am indeed very grateful.”
Greene is a strong voice in the energy sector, especially on issues related to safety, emerging technologies, innovation, and STEM-related education.
She serves on the boards of directors of Valero Energy Corporation, American Gas Association, Gas Technology Institute, and Morehouse School of Medicine. In addition to her professional career, Greene has served on the advisory boards of the Tickle College of Engineering and the UAB School of Engineering. She is a member of UT’s MABE Hall of Fame, the Alabama Engineering Hall of Fame, a recipient of the UT Distinguished Alumni Award, and was named Power Gen’s 2015 Woman of the Year.
About the Dougherty Award
Recognizing Dougherty’s success in engineering and education, the award singles out those who have “brought honor and distinction to the college through their achievements or who have made significant contributions to the engineering profession in Tennessee through their professional activities” and has been given annually since 1957.
Dougherty served as dean of the college from 1940–56, was a captain of UT’s football and basketball teams as a student athlete in the early 1900s, hired Robert Neyland as UT’s football coach, and served as acting SEC Commissioner in 1947. He was inducted into the College Football Hall of Fame in 1967.