POWERGRAMS

When a job is at hand, Randy Black is a doer, not a talker. With a go-getter approach and vast skill as an electrician, it's no wonder Black's community has been calling on him for help with volunteer projects for nearly 20 years. The Fayette Field Service rep has headed many projects at his alma mater, Curry High School in Walker County, and nearby Mount Vernon Baptist Church. "He's the type of person who doesn't talk about what needs to be done," said Black's wife, Judy. "He makes it his mission to do it." Last fall, Black received the Hometown Hero Award from Modern Woodmen of America's Jasper Chapter – coincidentally the same award his father Grady Black received more than 20 years earlier. This award recognizes people who help their communities without asking for thanks. The nonprofit group has about 775,000 members working nationally to support families and strengthen communities. "Our hometowns would not be what they are if not for people like Randy," said Tommie Heinrich of Modern Woodmen of America. "Most people don't know what our hometown heroes do. That's because they don't toot their own horn or expect any pay or compensation." Black has put his electrical skills to use at Curry High since the 1980s. Beginning in 2012, he spent nearly a year, working nights and weekends, heading an effort to install lighting and wiring throughout the 3,700-square-foot indoor softball facility. He spent two years wiring the school's football field house. Black installed the lighting system for the Curry batting facility. The work involved setting up power poles, digging ditches, running conduit for wires, hanging lights and installing switches and circuit boxes. He installed lights at the baseball field and wired the press box, scoreboard and concession stand. "Wiring the field house and the batting facilities were really big jobs, and we had people from all across the community working together. You had to have electrical knowledge, but it also took a lot of manpower," said Black. Curry High School Principal Rod Aaron said no task goes beyond Black's notice. "You can't replace somebody like Randy," Aaron said. "He still comes over on weekends to change out bulbs, replace ballast in the fluorescent lights or make any other necessary electrical repairs. He figures out what is needed and is there before we have to call him." "Small schools like Curry don't have the money for these projects," Black said. "I do this work because I want the kids to have better things than I did when I was at the school." Black developed an interest in electricity as a teen while working and volunteering alongside his dad. "I was the baby of the family, so I spent a lot of time with my dad over the years," said Black. "He taught me everything he knew about electrical wiring. The more I did it, the more I learned, and the more I loved it." Black later studied electricity while attending Bevill State Community College. Black joined the company in 1984, the year his dad retired from Alabama Power. Soon afterward, word began spreading about Black's electrical expertise. In 1987, he joined his dad and other volunteers wiring the Family Life Center at his church, Mount Vernon Baptist. Today, Black serves on the building and grounds committee at the church. He heads to the church every Saturday morning to conduct a walk-through of the building and make any necessary repairs. Rarely a week goes by, said Judy Black, that Randy doesn't spend a few hours making electrical repairs at the school or the church. He has been known to take vacation to catch up on his volunteer work. "I'm very proud of Randy," said Judy Black. "He's not seeking recognition or praise. He just volunteers because it makes him feel good to know he's helping the community." By Carla Davis Fayette Field Service rep honored as Hometown Hero pROFilE Black recognized for volunteer work at Curry High School and Mount Vernon Baptist Church. 4 Photo by Christopher Jones

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