POWERGRAMS

APSO volunteers 'Pay it Forward' aiding communities across state How do you define success? To members of the Alabama Power Service Organization (APSO), real success is helping someone in need or helping to make another person's life better. In sheer numbers, APSO members volunteered more than 50,000 hours and touched more than 250 charitable agencies statewide last year. APSO's conference theme, "Power to the Promise: Pay it Forward," was fitting tribute to the 250 members attending on Feb. 4-5. They reflected on last year's successes while receiving leadership training and strategizing during the business session. "We celebrate our members," said 2014 state president Palmer Gatlin. "Over and over I have said, 'We volunteer and we do this because it's the right thing to do. I know where your hearts are. We are blessed to work for a company that allows us to serve our community." Mark Crosswhite, who recalled attending the 2014 APSO conference in his first official engagement as chairman, president and CEO, said, "We believe in safety, customer service, our employees, economic development and especially community engagement. These are the things that make Alabama Power a great company. I know our employees help others for all the right reasons, and – although this is not the reason – you also make Alabama Power look good. You are our best ambassadors. Our communities appreciate your help, and I appreciate it. You bring power to the state – not just electric power, but people power." Executive Vice President Zeke Smith said, "The APSO group represents the very best that Alabama Power has to offer. We do the right things by our company, by our customers, by our communities and by each other. "We grow the economy in this state," Smith said. "It's all about our employees and working together toward one common purpose. Most importantly, we focus on the communities we serve." Jeff Harris, assistant business manager for the International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers and a former Gaston Chapter Volunteer of the Year, said Alabama Power employees have a heart for service. "When the leaders of these community agencies say they can't do it without APSO – that they couldn't survive – they mean it," said Harris. "You're doing a good service for the people. You've got a standard to keep. I'm always amazed that every year you reach your goal, and you go a little bit higher." 2008 APSO president David Marsh presented Chapter Spirit Awards to Felecia Williams, Plant Barry; Wayne King, Eastern Division; Shane McCray, Plant Gaston; Jerry Mitchell, Plant Gorgas; Jeannine Bailey, Magic City; Gavin Love, Plant Miller; Sharon Murrill, Mobile Division; Tracy Dismukes, Southeast/ Farley; Kimberly Adams, Southern Division; and Britton Lightsey, Western Division. Special service awards went to 2014 APSO Chapter Presidents Tammy Turner, Barry; Eric Boykin, Eastern; Justin Bailey, Gaston; Michael Stewart, Gorgas; Lisa Spears, Magic City; Jamie Driver, Miller; Allison Allen, Mobile; Keisha Faulk, Farley; Lisa Roberts, Southeast; Ronda Cherry-Smoke, Southern; and Jennifer Cassity, Western. Plant Gaston Manager Brian Heinfeld and 2011 APSO state president Paige Lake presented Volunteer of the Year awards to Stacy Simmons, Barry; Keisha Chapman, Eastern; Barbara McGinnis, Gaston; Terri Black, Gorgas; Tammy Griffin, Magic City; Beth Shumate, Miller; Brandy Terry, Mobile; Heather Mims, Southeast/Farley; Kimberly Vickery, Southern; and Stephanie Reese, Western. 2013 APSO state president Katrina Haynes presented the Gaston Chapter with the Membership Growth Award for its 37 percent increase. Plant Miller Manager Chris Miller presented Outstanding Member Participation Awards to the Barry and Southern chapters. Barry won for the largest increase in volunteer hours, with 15 hours per member. Southern won for the most volunteer hours per member. Eastern Division took home the Award of Excellence for outstanding achievement in community service and the Community Spirit Award for its 39 percent increase in volunteer hours. Members voted Mobile Chapter's work with Wilmer Hall Children's Home as APSO's top project for 2014, earning the chapter $1,000 to give to the charity of its choice, APSO Community Initiatives Specialist Tan Grayson said. 2015 APSO State President Trey Hayes said service is part of the DNA of Alabama Power employees. "Serving Alabama is the reason we have an army of APSO volunteers in hundreds of communities reading to children, laying sod in parks and providing families a warm place to stay while their sons and daughters receive treatment at Children's Hospital," said Hayes, Commercial and Industrial market specialist - Southern Division. "Serving Alabama is our why. It's why Alabama Power exists, and it's the reason APSO fits seamlessly and thrives – it is part of the fabric of our company." By Donna Cope POWER TO ALABAMA 3 Hayes addressed the conference audience after taking gavel as state president. Hayes wants APSO to keep serving Alabama.

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