Issue link: http://alabamapower.uberflip.com/i/1511253
Contents KNOW OUR BUSINESS During the recent Business Forum ,Alabama Power President and CEO Jeff Peoples and other company leaders outlined company challenges and ways to increase efficiency. Page 1 LAKE LIFE Beautiful Harris Lake celebrates its 40th anniversary this year. Learn about the lake, which spans 10,660 acres, and its importance to the growth of east Alabama. Page 4 LINE CREW APPRECIATION More than 700 workers from Alabama, including company line crews, helped Georgia Power (GPC) after Hurricane Idalia hit on Aug. 30, causing 150,000 GPC customers to lose power. Page 7 SALUTING OUR VETERANS Construction Equipment Operator Eric Frye, General Services Complex, served in the U.S. Air Force and still serves the nation today through his contributions to the Hueytown American Legion. Page 8 APSO The transformation of the gardens at the Lovelady Center in Birmingham continues, after a helping hand from Magic City APSO members four years ago. Page 10 ENVIRONMENTAL Environmental Affairs Specialist Jeff Baker, named Wildlife Biologist of the Year by the Alabama Chapter of the Wildlife Society, is devoted to helping protect the state's rare plants and animals. Page 12 MONEY-WISE A milestone anniversary — 70 years serving employees — made 2023 a very big year for APCO ECU. Page 13 ADVOCATING TO FIGHT RARE DISEASE Birmingham Division Accountant Deborah Rice has made it part of her life's journey to advocate for Alabamians, and those across the world, who suffer from sarcoidosis. Page 14 COMMUNITY Facing financial difficulties after the pandemic, the nonprofit Women Who Care was nearly ready to close its doors, until receiving an Elevate Grant from the Alabama Power Foundation. Page 16 GET REDDY Many people don't realize there's some Alabama Power history behind the beloved electric industry "spokesman" Reddy Kilowatt. Learn about the founder of this popular electric industry icon, known globally. Page 18 INNOVATION Alabama Power has the only crew in the U.S. utility industry specially trained to install and maintain the fiber infrastructure for expanding broadband access. Page 20 ENERGIZERS Serving others seems to come naturally to Southeast Energizers President Shannon Sampson, who is helping boost communities around Dothan, as well as blood supplies, by holding her own family blood drive. Page 22 MIRACLE RIDE Retiree Brett Ballard rode 11,400 miles cross country to help raise money for new equipment for pediatric nursing at Columbus State University. Page 24 RETIREES Page 26 IN MEMORIAM Page 29 NOVEMBER, 2023 EDITOR Donna Cope 205-257-1951 dscope@southernco.com ART DIRECTOR Jay Parker CHIEF PHOTOGRAPHER Phil Free W R I T E R S Carla Davis Mark Kelly Dana McGough Andrew Rhodes Jackson Roberts Stacy White CONTRIBUTING PHOTOGRAPHERS Billy Brown Nik Layman Jay Parker ON THE COVER Celebrating 40 years of providing clean hydro energy and recreation for Alabama residents and beyond, beautiful Harris Lake offers countless activities for the entire family, such as fishing, kayaking, canoeing, paddle boarding, bird watching and more. See page 4. Photo by Billy Brown. POWERGRAMS © Alabama Power Company 2023 Dear Readers, Welcome to our last Powergrams magazine for 2023. Next year, Powergrams – celebrating its 104th year – continues its legacy of providing important Alabama Power business news and enjoyable employee features in a new format. We'll bring back Postcards to Powergrams, so send in those favorite vacation photos! Please drop us a note about the stories you'd like to read in Powergrams. Wishing you and your family a safe, joyous holiday season. Donna Cope (dscope@southernco.com) FROM THE EDITOR