POWERGRAMS

PROFILE Employee enjoys life after years of toiling at two jobs I Tidwell t could be said that a turkey Bevill State Community BTUs. chased Cheryl Rutledge College. In her ongoing quest to Tidwell into a better job. "I got there at 5 a.m. and learn new skills, Tidwell has On a warm, summer evening stood in line with my friends," enjoyed serving as a plant safety six years ago, Tidwell had said Tidwell, who waited with specialist during Gorgas' last worked what would be a full about 100 others. Tidwell was three maintenance outages. day for most people, starting her later called to Plant Miller for Tidwell enjoys the job stability first job at 4:30 a.m. She began a physical abilities test required the company provides and her second "shift" as a contract for employment. Tidwell also is optimistic about women's meter reader on a rural route in faced a six-member board of opportunities for advancement Jasper. supervisors from Plants Gorgas at Alabama Power. Her "I was out on a country road," and Miller for a panel interview. position enables Tidwell to Tidwell said. "Usually, I'd park "I was thrilled to get a call to savor more quality time with the truck and get out and walk to read meters, because the houses were so far apart." Rounding the corner of a home to check the electric meter, Tidwell was surprised by a large turkey. Flapping its wings violently, it ran at Tidwell squawking and trying to peck her. "I ran to my truck and Tidwell now spends time on road behind wheel of large bulldozer. hopped in, and the turkey work at Gorgas a few months her sons, Kaelin, 16, Tate, started attacking the truck," later," Tidwell said. 13, and Elli, 9, and her new Tidwell said. "It was the owner's On April 2, 2007, she started husband, Bill. Tidwell also has pet turkey, and the lady was at Gorgas as a plant auxiliary, a more time to devote to outside practically rolling on her front job where employees learn about interests – such as volunteering porch, laughing. powerhouse and plant functions, in the community through "In a million years, I'd never as well as basic operations such the Alabama Power Service have thought I'd get chased as turning valves and checking Organization – now that she's down by a turkey," Tidwell said equipment gauges. Tidwell not working two jobs. with a chuckle. "It's the funniest worked in that job for a year, "I am really happy," Tidwell thing I ever had happen. The then rose to plant control said. "I tell people all the time dogs could be terrible and I operator assistant, a position about how family oriented carried pepper spray just in case, she held for three years. When Alabama Power is, and how but you don't expect that with a a job for an equipment operator much I love my job." turkey. It was an experience." opened, Tidwell jumped at the That may have clinched most chance. By Donna Cope people's desire to find a new "Working as an equipment job. At the time, Tidwell was a operator has been my most single mother of three boys, and favorite job," Tidwell said. her work schedule allowed few "I absolutely love what I do. free moments. She arrived at It's my dream job. I get to UPS at 4:30 a.m. and delivered be outside, which is good for packages until 9 a.m. Then, she me because I don't like being was on the road reading meters confined." until dusk. Tidwell operates heavy In a fortuitous turn, Tidwell equipment including the saw an Alabama Power notice bulldozers used in the fuel yard. in a newspaper, with dates She performs maintenance on for power plant operator and the beltlines that transport fuel maintenance tests for entryinto the plant, and tests fuel level jobs. She and three friends samples for heat rate, measuring decided to take the tests at PAGE 7

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