POWERGRAMS

HONORS There's no Alabama Power Service Organization project that fazes Eric Boykin: He's planted gardens, folded and sorted clothes, and helped carve 140 Thanksgiving turkeys for needy families. But, during the "Power to the Promise: Pay it Forward" Conference on Feb. 4, Boykin was caught totally off guard when he was called to accept APSO's most prestigious honor, the Patsy Topazi Award. "It's such a big honor," said Boykin, 2014 Eastern Division APSO president. "I didn't have a hint that it was coming. Employees and family members in APSO have done great things, and to be among the past winners is a great honor. "The Patsy Topazi Award is an individual award, but it would be impossible without the hard work and dedication of our board members and the members of Eastern Division Chapter," he added. "I dedicate this award to them." After graduating from the University of South Carolina in 2002 with an electrical engineering degree, Boykin joined Alabama Power and, not long afterward, became an APSO member. He worked in the Centreville Office for a year, then moved to Tuscaloosa in 2003. Though Boykin has changed locations during his 13-year career, APSO is his mainstay. Now serving as the Distribution Control Center supervisor in Anniston, Boykin takes every opportunity to serve his community. Eastern Division APSO, under Boykin's leadership, accomplished several standout projects such as renovating the East Central Alabama United Cerebral Palsy (UCP) playground, mentoring children through the Class Act program for Anniston Middle School, upgrading the Presbyterian Children's Home in Talladega and assisting Meals on Wheels. "When I look back at the year, I'm proud that Eastern APSO was able to do many things that helped improve life in our communities," he said. "The cleanup project we did for United Cerebral Palsy was definitely needed." In August 2014, 20 APSO volunteers worked about 120 total hours to clean and redo the playground equipment – pressure washing, scrubbing toys and raking the grounds. The chapter also donated $1,500 to UCP. Boykin is particularly proud of work done for the Presbyterian Home by members of the Talladega subchapter. APSO members painted and cleaned children's rooms and a kitchen, updated a parlor and helped renovate a cottage. Boykin and members from the Anniston Office partner in delivering Meals on Wheels every other Thursday. Members volunteer their one-hour lunchtime to pick up meals from Stringfellow Memorial Hospital, distributing them to shut-in and disabled residents. "The meals are already prepared and the agency sets the route for us," Boykin said. "We pair up – one person drives and the other gives driving directions, and both people deliver the meals. People see us pull up, recognize the vehicle and automatically think, 'Hey, Alabama Power is doing this for us.'" Eastern APSO members' participation in Class Act was another highlight of the year. Alabama Power employees talk with sixth-grade classes at Anniston Middle School, providing advice and mentoring. During the one-hour sessions, APSO volunteers talk about important life lessons and steps the children can take to better their future. "Last year, we discussed the 'ripple effect' during one session," he said. "We talked about how one action leads to another action, and how the positive things you do today – such as studying and getting prepared for the future – lead to positive outcomes." Employees also tackled hot topics such as bullying and why it creates a negative atmosphere for everyone at school. Boykin and his wife, Shevonda, have been married 12 years. She was in the audience when he received the Topazi Award. "Being a part of APSO is giving back to the community," she said. "Alabama Power affords us the opportunity to serve the community, and that's very special, I think. To me, it shows how blessed we are to be able to help other people out and to be a blessing to them." By Donna Cope Promises Fulfilled 2 Todd Weeks stands outside new storm shelters in Hueytown, which are among about 150 built at Alabama Power facilities statewide during the past three years. Photo by Christopher Jones. ON THE COVER: Boykin received Topazi Award during annual APSO conference. AN N ISTO N SU PERVISO R E A RNS A PSO'S TO P H O N O R

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