Vulcan Materials has named Southern Co CEO Thomas A Fanning and former US Secretary of Labor Elaine L Chao to its board of directors.

Fanning has been president, CEO and chairman of Southern Co (the parent of Birmingham's Alabama Power Co) since 2010. He also serves as chair of the Federal Reserve Bank of Atlanta and as chairman of the Electric Subsector Coordinating Council.

Chao served as the US Secretary of Labor over the 2001-09 period. She has also served as CEO of United Way of America, director of the Peace Corps and several other prominent roles.

The new members increase Vulcan's board from 11 to 13 members, six of which joined the board in the past two years – following a takeover bid by Martin Marietta.