POWERGRAMS

Crosswhite celebrates company legacy, future Saying he is "very happy to be part of the Alabama Power family," Mark Crosswhite marked his first Business Forum as president and CEO by celebrating the company's "great legacy" and predicting an even brighter future. Crosswhite quoted former company president Frank Washburn, who said employees should feel they are part of a great family, not just a great corporation. "That one comment really captures the essence of Alabama Power," said Crosswhite. "The family atmosphere is what makes this company such a strong place." This was Crosswhite's first opportunity to address the employees of Alabama Power since his "Open Door" tour of the state in March, which covered 13 cities and six company divisions. He said his door will remain open. "you should not expect me to come here today and try to tell you how to do your job. What I will do is listen to you. Tell me how I can help you do your jobs even better," he said. Looking ahead, Crosswhite outlined "five foundations" to guide the company toward the future. "These five foundations are how we bring power to Alabama," he said. "They're the things we do very well and the things we want to continue to focus on." The first is safety. "Nothing is more important than your safety," he said. Crosswhite cited the groundbreaking "Target Zero" program, which has helped reduce recordable injuries by two-thirds over the past 10 years. "So we've seen people work safer. But we still had 60 people injured last year," he added. "We've got pockets of people all across the company who have worked year after year after year achieving Target Zero. So it can be done. We know it can be done," he said. Customer service ranks a close second among his objectives. "Customers are at the center of everything we do," Crosswhite said. "Every decision that we make at Alabama Power, we filter through 'what's good for the customer.' That's the test we apply. And that's the right approach." This means working to keep prices low and service reliable, he added. "If we have high customer satisfaction, then we'll be able to weather any storm we may face," Crosswhite said. The third foundation Crosswhite pledged to build on is the "strong relationship with the IBEW (International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers)." "We're going to have a good, respectful, trusting relationship," he said. He also discussed diversity and treating all workers fairly. "It's going to take every one of us working together, whether union or not union, male or female, black or white, young or old – it doesn't matter. "Like Mr. Washburn said, we're a family." Crosswhite, who succeeded retiring president Charles McCrary in March, noted that Alabama Power was one of the first companies in the state to recognize the power and potential of economic development – the fourth foundation. "Alabama Power has been involved in economic development since the 1920s," he said. "We're going to continue our long tradition of economic development. The state needs us more now than ever." Crosswhite said Alabama lost more jobs during the Great Recession and has recovered more slowly than the u.S. as a whole. He said the issue is personal to him. "I have two sons, a 21-year-old and a 17-year-old," he said. "I want them to get a job here. I don't want them to have to move to North Carolina or New york or California to get a job. "The bottom line for this company: If the state of Alabama doesn't thrive, doesn't grow, neither will we." Finally, Crosswhite stressed the importance of a strong and vital community; community service is the fifth foundation. He thanked the Alabama Power Foundation for donating $140 million to charitable causes over the past 25 years. He applauded the 5,500 employees who volunteered more than 50,000 hours in 2013 through the Alabama Power Service Organization (APSO). "you're the face of Alabama Power," he said. "you're the ambassadors of this company." Crosswhite urged them to do more: "Let's try to get other folks at Alabama Power and at Southern Company in Alabama working for APSO." A native of Decatur and a graduate of the university of Alabama, Crosswhite said he has been fortunate to work his entire career in one form or another for Alabama Power. "Southern Company is the best utility in the united States, and Alabama Power is the very best part of Southern Company," he said. "So you're the best of the best. "The people at Alabama Power are making Alabama a better place to live." busINEss FORum 3 New president and CEO said employees are the 'best of the best.'

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