POWERGRAMS

PROFILE Roberts Rules Miller employee holds company work record after nearly 50 years A Photos by Bill Snow Plant Miller Warehouseman Roberts is known as 'Top Cat.' few celebrities are so well known their first 50-year service mark, Roberts has no intention of names bring instant recognition: Madonna or leaving Alabama Power. Beyonce, for instance. Across the Alabama Power "Everyone asks me all the time when I'm going electric system, employees know they can call to retire," Roberts said. "I have a few more aches "Top Cat" for assistance at Miller Steam Plant's and pains than I used to, but why quit now? I enjoy Warehouse. working now more than I ever did." The moniker doesn't bother Generation's Tommy Roberts said working is his hobby. When he's not Charles Roberts, who, with 49 years of service, at Plant Miller, he's busy tending his 130-acre family owns Alabama Power's longest work record. When farm in the Curry community, about 10 miles north he started at the company, the "Top Cat" cartoon – of Jasper. The only time Roberts has been away was whose main character is called T.C. – was popular. when he worked at Plant Greene County and Jordan "People all over the system know me because of Dam. my initials," Roberts said. "They hung the nickname He joins six generations of Robertses in tilling 'T.C.,' or 'Top Cat,' on me. I never minded it." the rich farmland, which is mostly pasture. Roberts Roberts has seen many changes during his journey plants hay for his 40 cattle and a saddle horse, with the company, and though he will be 71 in keeping the fields neatly cut. This past year, Roberts July, he has no plans of retiring. He was hired in 1964, not long after graduating from Calhoun Community College with a twoyear electrical degree. Working as a laborer at Smith Dam, within a month, Roberts said, then-supervisor Grady Lewis urged Roberts to apply for higher positions. "Bid on those jobs, I will recommend you," Lewis told the young Roberts. Within a month, Roberts was stationed at Plant Greene County as a lab helper. In January 1967, he became an assistant operator at Jordan Dam, where he performed switching operations, took plant readings and worked with dispatchers. He stayed in that job two years before moving to Plant Gorgas as assistant turbine operator. As a member of the International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers, Roberts later "rolled" into a job as unit 10 switchboard operator. In 1978, Roberts began working for company in 1964. he left Gorgas for a switching position at Plant Miller, where he planted two cornfields, and stored the corn for assisted in placing all four Miller units online. the horse and use in hunting. His son, Greg, and In 1995, Generation phased out switchboard jobs. grandchildren, Kayla, Zac and Gage, enjoy taking Roberts was certified as a warehouseman and – the care of the land and animals. same year he received his 30-year watch – took that Roberts said he will "keep on keeping on" at the position at Miller. warehouse and on the farm. "For years, I worked rotating shifts," Roberts said. "I've been at Miller 35 years, and it's been a real "But in this job, I moved in as the senior man, with good job," Roberts said. "I'm planning on staying." weekends off. I've always said this job is one of the best things that ever happened to me." By Donna Cope While Roberts enjoys the camaraderie and busy routine of working at Miller Warehouse, which is larger than a football field, he keeps his attention on the job. "We all stay focused because we do a lot," Roberts said. "Safety is No. 1 with everything we do. We have some heavy lifting, and we've got trucks moving through for shipping and receiving, so it's a really busy place. If we have to get on a picker or forklift, we can call on our compadres for help. That makes working here enjoyable." Being healthy and happy in the workplace, with less than a year and a half to go before he reaches the PAGE 4

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