POWERGRAMS

7 For Carolyn Feltus, receiving the Sam Booker Award was almost like an instant replay of 15 years ago. "I was so surprised when they said my name," said Feltus, who reports to Mobile Division Vice President Mike Saxon and is responsible for the Continuous Improvement Program. "I was stunned, really. I just sat there for a minute. I was very honored, and I treasure this award." Winning awards for community service seems to be a forte of Feltus. In 1998, she became the first recipient of the Patsy Topazi Leadership Award for the Alabama Power Service Organization, receiving the trophy from Topazi herself. Chuck Hrabe, chapter president for the retiree group Energizers' Mobile Division, nominated Feltus for the Booker honor. "Carolyn has been very instrumental in the operation of our chapter during the past two years," Hrabe said. "She has made many routine arrangements for the chapter and has been a welcome help in all of our activities." Feltus arranges the Energizers' bi-monthly lunch meetings and attends to ensure they go as planned. As the primary contact within the Mobile Division Office, she obtains assistance from the division and the general office. Illustrating her commitment to Energizers, she attended their annual officer training meetings so she'd more fully understand the organizational goals. Hrabe said Feltus often obtains speakers for Energizers meetings. "I get real joy from working with our Energizers, and I consider it a real honor to have this opportunity," Feltus said. "They kid me all the time about wanting me to retire so I can join Energizers. I hope to be an Energizer one of these days. With 26 years with the company, I'm getting closer." The Energizers have become part of Feltus' responsibilities the past two years. She has been administrative assistant to Mobile Division vice presidents for 20 of her 26 years at Alabama Power. Before she was assigned to assist the Energizers, Feltus attended their bi-monthly meetings. She was as inspired by the retired employees as she had been watching her parents interact with others. "They exemplified a spirit of giving back," she said. "Even though we weren't people of means, my parents were open to helping anybody." Feltus is the same way, and feels even more so as a five-year survivor of breast cancer. "I wake up in the morning counting my blessings," she said. "I have been very blessed. To me, the Bible says it all. I have gotten so much out of volunteering. I consider it an honor to do things that help other people." She believes that small efforts count. "Smiling at somebody, taking time to offer a helping hand, all of these things are very powerful," Feltus said. "I say this pretty often: Without all of our retirees, there would not be all of us," she said. "Alabama Power would not be the highly respected company that it is today without our retirees. It's up to all of us to continue to help our company be the best it can be." By Donna Cope Feltus 'blessed' to receive Energizers leadership award 100% CONNECTED Energizers state president Bob O'Daniel, Feltus and Saxon at Booker Award ceremony.

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