POWERGRAMS

PROFILE Zales heads to the lakeside after distinguished 33-year APC career T Photo by Bill Snow hese are the rules on which Bill Zales has based Marine Corps, where he rose to the rank of captain. his life: Don't sweat the small stuff, learn from Although he was stationed in North Carolina your mistakes and then move on. during most of his six-year tour of duty, he was "It's like when you were in grammar school and deployed for nine months to the Mediterranean. the teacher would give you a test back, you wouldn't Because Egypt and Israel were at war, his unit's look to see what you got right. You looked to see mission was to protect American interests in the what you got wrong and then you learned from that," area. Zales said. "It's the same way at work. I don't believe After a four-year stint in Washington, D.C., as in getting upset about mistakes. We all make them. a defense contractor with the Department of the Just learn from them and move forward." Navy, Zales returned to Birmingham and joined Zales, who is set Alabama Power in 1980 to retire June 1, has as a project engineer worked alongside in Fossil/Hydro employees from every Generation. corner of the company As part of that job, during his 33-year he got the opportunity career, including to use his knowledge of all six divisions, the aviation. He was assigned fossil and hydro to the team responsible plants and Corporate for procuring the Headquarters, as well company's first helicopter as most of the leaders and helped choose the across the system. location for the helipads As vice president, at each generating plant. corporate secretary Zales rose through and assistant treasurer, positions in Generation, Zales has been at every Customer Service and Alabama Power board Corporate Finance. After of directors meeting two years as assistant since 1999. Along with to the president, he was managing the quarterly named manager of the board meetings, Zales' Shades Cahaba District staff stays in close in 1992. contact with directors Soon afterward came year-round. He has the historic Blizzard served as secretary of of '93, which knocked the Alabama Power out power to almost Foundation and the all his customers – an Alabama Business experience that will live Charitable (ABC) Trust in his memory, Zales Zales Fund. said. Zales was a member of the team that created the "It took eight days and a couple thousand foundation, the trust fund, Alabama Power Service employees and contractors to get the power restored. Organization and the Energizers as nonprofit Our folks had to place a lot of poles and string wire entities. His wife, Edwina, served as president of the by hand because many power lines were in people's Birmingham Division chapter and state APSO. backyards," Zales said. "When the board meets, we do everything we can Along with his busy schedule at work, Zales to present ourselves appropriately and professionally, continued his education, receiving a master's and answer any questions the directors may have," degree in public and private management from Zales said. "We're the first thing the directors see, so Birmingham-Southern College and a juris doctorate we work hard to show them the company is wellfrom the Birmingham School of Law. managed." Zales said he and his wife plan to spend more time Zales leads Risk Services and Credit and at their Lake Martin home and possibly travel to the Collections. In these roles, he is often forced to Caribbean or on a river cruise. In line with his new make hard decisions – one of which earned him the hobby – stalking big game – Zales has scheduled nickname "Repo" when he threatened to pull the a bear hunt in Alaska. Earlier this year, he brought plug on an amusement park that failed to pay its down a mountain lion in Idaho. power bill. Managing lawsuits and claims brought "I have had a very fulfilling career," said Zales. "I've against the company are also part of his job. been fortunate to work with a lot of great people During his career, Zales worked with three and with all sides of the business. I've also had the Alabama Power chief executive officers, four chief opportunity to represent the company and protect its financial officers, four general counsels and five reputation, which is really not difficult to do with the Southern Company CEOs. great reputation our company has." "They are all different and have their own unique styles," Zales said. "You just have to learn to adjust to By Carla Davis each individual and figure out what they are looking for from you. But it has been a pleasure working with all of them." A native of Birmingham, Zales started his career in the military, following in the footsteps of his father and uncle. After graduating from the Naval Academy in 1970, he was a helicopter pilot in the ON THE COVER: Shilonqua Higgins Lee is all smiles as she runs across Alabama to raise money to fight cancer. Photo by Bill Snow PAGE 2

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