Issue link: http://alabamapower.uberflip.com/i/259081
5 TRANSITION mccrary era defined by strong leadership mccrary era defined by strong leadership For the past 13 years, Charles McCrary has led one of the most powerful and respected companies in alabama. During his time as president and ceo, he has been called one of the most influential people in the state; he has served on important boards and committees; and he has left an impact that can be felt not only at alabama Power, but throughout the entire state and utility industry. along the way, he's made a lot of friends as well as ruffled some feathers, but there's one thing that's undeniable — he's a force to be reckoned with. He's unapologetic, outspoken, results-driven, a game changer and a groundbreaker. "We play hard, but we work hard. We can take a punch, but we'll throw one," mccrary says. "i've never been afraid to face a battle. i've been afraid i'd lose, but i was never afraid to try." Despite having risen to the top of the ranks, mccrary, who is retiring, remains humble. "the organizational chart is really upside down. People don't work for me, i work for them," he says. "if i'm gone for two weeks, nobody sits in my chair and has to make the company run. But when you take away people like the men and women in the service center, or the employees in the business office, the plants or the linemen, if they walk out, somebody's got to take their place. they're the important ones, not me. they are the ones the company can't do without. my precious wife Phyllis reminds me of that every day." While mccrary downplays his own significance, Tom Fanning, chairman, president and ceo of southern company, says mccrary "stands tall among the great leaders in our company history. He has exemplified southern style over the past five decades, leading by example in word and deed." executive Vice President Steve Spencer says mccrary's ability to build coalitions and to persevere allowed mccrary "to make pretty much anything happen," not just at alabama Power but at southern company. "When he decided what he believed was the right path to follow, he always found a way to reach the destination," spencer says.