POWERGRAMS

PHOTOGRAPHY COURTESY KEN DARBY 18 After working for Southern companies for 35 years, Ken Darby Ken Darby retired in June 2021 and began a journey to share his knowledge for the greater good, while having the adventure of a lifetime. "My dad and I took a trip to Yellowstone 20 years ago, and I noticed employees around the park had name tags with their home states, so I asked them how they were able to work at the park," said Darby. "I learned that many of them were retirees and seasonal workers. I was so intrigued, and I always felt it was something I'd like to pursue if I ever had the opportunity." Yellowstone National Park is nearly 2,000 miles from central Alabama, in the northwest corner of Wyoming and extending into Montana and Idaho. It was established by Congress and signed into law by President Ulysses S. Grant in 1872, becoming the world's first national park. It is known internationally for its wildlife and geothermal features, especially Old Faithful geyser, where many of the 4 million annual visitors first head upon entering the 3,471-square-mile Yellowstone grounds. About two months after his retirement, Darby began thinking about what he could do with his skills, and the seasonal program at Yellowstone was the first thing he researched. To his surprise, the Risk and Sustainability specialist position was available – it's usually a full-time job from April through October. It was a perfect match for Darby's expertise and, after applying, he was offered the position. On Aug. 24, 2021, Darby began his adventures at Yellowstone.

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