Energizers

A belated Happy New Year to you all! I want to take this opportunity to again express my appreciation for all you do. I continue to be inspired by your passion for community service and your commitment to Alabama Power. As we begin a new year, we continue to face many of the same challenges at the company: a slow economy, potential new environmental regulations and the uncertainty an election year brings. Now, more than ever, we must be 100% Connected with our customers, and you are an important part of that equation. As you may know, our research shows that a single encounter with an Alabama Power employee – good or bad – can determine a customer's overall feeling about the company. I believe the same holds true for customer contacts with our retirees. As retirees, you remain the face and voice of Alabama Power in our communities. Recently, we've started using technology to help us connect with our customers. Alabama Power now has a Twitter account, which has been an enormously effective communication Winter 2012 The Family Place information number is 205-257-4425. k The Family Place provides temporary lodging for families who have a family member receiving treatment at Birmingham hospitals. R R In This Issue Plant Miller is honored 2 2012 Chapter presidents, board 2 Black-eyed Pea Lunch is success 3 Energizers have fun 4 Get heart healthy 5 Tom McKenzie enjoys 'the good life' 6 At large: Globe-trotting Energizers 7 t Continued on page 6 Darlene Sanders' co-workers call her a "people person." Whether someone's mood is up or down, Sanders – on the "front lines" with customers for years – is adept at answering questions, smoothing ruffled feathers and taking care of business. Those are critical skills at Alabama Power's busiest office, the bustling Metro Central Office in downtown Birmingham. The location receives 18,250 walk-in customers monthly, its employees fielding thousands of customer calls. Sanders enjoys doing things for others – and that includes handling arrangements for the Energizers. On Dec. 15, Sanders' hospitality and willingness to serve earned her the group's top honor, the Sam Booker Award. It was an amazing moment for Sanders when Energizers State President Bob O'Daniel called her name. "Mr. O'Daniel was telling everyone about the award, and I thought, 'Wow, that is a neat award for someone,'" Sanders said. "I was looking all around the room and wondering who it would be. I never thought it would be me." Named in honor of Sam Booker, the late former Alabama Power executive instrumental in forming the Energizers, the award is the highest honor given by Energizers and recognizes an active employee whose support has gone beyond the call of duty. That's why Birmingham Division Energizers President Joe White nominated Sanders for the award. For the past several years, Sanders has made all the meeting arrangements for White's A message from Leigh Perry Hospitality wins Darlene Sanders prestigious Sam Booker Award Energizers State President (left) Bob O'Daniel, Booker Award recipient Darlene Sanders and Energizers Birmingham Division President Joe White. Darlene Sanders Continued on page 8 Leigh Perry

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