Energizers

6 Energizers group. All 11 chapters of Energizers nominate a candidate. "The last two years, Darlene has looked after and met the needs of our chapter when we meet at the Metro Central Office," said White, who retired in 1995 and immediately joined the Energizers. "She is very dedicated in working with us to plan and set dates for our meetings a year in advance. At each meeting, we're met with a smiling welcome from Darlene, who has the room set up, the coffee and water ready, and is there to help with any audiovisual needs we may have." O'Daniel said Alabama Power employees ranging from vice presidents to plant managers to area managers have received the honor. "We feel this is a prestigious award," O'Daniel said. "It is annually awarded to one person out of the 11 applicants nominated by our chapters. We're proud to have Darlene join the ranks of Sam Booker Award recipients." It's all in a day's work for this administrative assistant in Accounting at the 1313 Building. Sanders assists Business Office Manager David Hoyle and performs work to support the office's 23 customer service representatives. She often fields calls that must be sent to another Alabama Power business office or other departments. Sometimes those calls are from customers who are having a bad day. "Customers call and some are upset," Sanders said. "Sometimes they're crying or distraught. The first thing I tell them is 'Get a glass of water and take a deep breath, then come back.' "They have to take a breather, then they can tell you what's wrong," she said. "It all comes out and I hear their problems: They have no power; the baby is sick; some have lost their jobs and are facing economic hardships. I lend an ear – I listen to them tell their story, and usually a supervisor calls them back." Despite the challenges, Sanders enjoys her work. Throughout a long and varied career in the administrative world, Sanders has learned the value of personal interactions and understanding people. Her quietly effective work philosophy? Sanders recommends, "Work as though you're working unto God." Sanders is happy to help the Energizers in their work, as these 1,400 retirees lend their support to schools, hospitals, libraries, and numerous nonprofit and charitable organizations. In 2011, the membership gave 41,069 volunteer hours to strengthen the communities of Alabama, O'Daniel said. The excitement of receiving the Booker Award only heightened Sanders' dedication to serving her co-workers, customers and the Energizers. "I think of all of us as a team," Sanders said. "We're all here together for the same purpose. We try to keep the good name for Alabama Power." By Donna Cope On a warm and sunny day, Tom McKenzie's favorite place to relax is his backyard hammock. "I may work for 30 minutes in the yard, then rest for 2 hours," said the jovial McKenzie, with a smile and a chuckle. Visitors may catch him reading a book, or as he puts it, "resting his eyes a bit" when the hammock catches a breeze. This Alabama Power retiree is living the good life, in more ways than one. McKenzie enjoys a challenging game of golf, and relishes time with his wife and family. But, after retiring 23 years ago, this former district manager for the Gadsden area hasn't rested on his laurels. A couple of years after retiring, McKenzie was tapped by then- Gadsden Mayor Steve Means to become the mayoral assistant. It was a natural for McKenzie, who, in his managerial role at the company, was well-accustomed to handling people issues. As a distribution engineer for some 20 years, he'd spent a lot of time working with customers, and had also served as assistant-to then- Distribution Vice President Alan Barton. "That was the same public I'd been dealing with for years," said McKenzie, who served the mayor's office nearly six years. "It was a responsibility I knew how to handle." He also was a member of the Greater Gadsden Housing Authority Board, acting as chairman for 17 of the 23 years he served. McKenzie's community involvement didn't end there. He is on the executive committee for Keep Etowah Beautiful, and is a past president of the highly active environmental group, which has received numerous Keep America Beautiful awards. He has served as president of Gadsden Kiwanis and is immediate past president of CARIA – the Coosa-Alabama River Improvement Association, started by Alabama Power's founder, Captain William Patrick Lay. McKenzie now is reporter for Gadsden Energizers, taking minutes for their bimonthly meetings. He has served two stints as chapter president and, in these roles, helps with the group's major fundraiser, the annual Black-eyed Pea Luncheon. This active community volunteer, who turns 84 on Feb. 28, enjoys every minute. "The Lord's been good to me," McKenzie said. "I've had a happy life. I always tell people my wife has taken good care of me, and she still does." Evidence of a life well lived, McKenzie and his wife, Charlotte, have been happily married more than 60 years. He met the future Mrs. McKenzie when she was just 13, when both lived in Tuscaloosa. "I'd ask her out to the picture show or to go to the swimming pool." Though his family moved to Mobile when he was 16, McKenzie didn't forget Charlotte. The two met again at the University of Alabama in Tuscaloosa – he was a senior and she was a freshman – and "the rest is history." The McKenzies have eight grown children – four boys and four girls – all who attended the couple's alma mater. "For 19 straight years, we had a child in college, with no gaps," he said. "When people ask if my wife worked, I always say she ran a commercial kitchen and a commercial laundry." Their family includes 14 grandchildren and eight great-grandchildren. "We've been fortunate," McKenzie said. "They've all stayed close, and they all get here by noon on Christmas Day." He plans to "keep on keeping on" with the Energizers, whose involvement has provided much personal satisfaction. The McKenzies have toured Europe three times with Energizers travelers. "I enjoy just socializing with people I worked with years before," McKenzie said. "I'm having fun, and we're gonna keep doing what we're doing." By Donna Cope Energizers is 'part of the good life' for Tom McKenzie Gadsden Energizers Tom and Charlotte McKenzie have been happily married more than 60 years. Tom McKenzie (left) said Energizers membership helps him keep in touch with colleagues such as Jim Freind, division area manager – Anniston. Continued from page 1 This whimsical sign expresses McKenzie's retirement philosophy.

• Cover