Connections

2 How do you define success? For members of the Alabama Power Service Organization (APSO), real success comes through helping someone in need, or helping make another person's life better. In sheer numbers, APSO members passed the success threshold in 2014, giving more than 50,000 volunteer service hours and touching more than 250 charitable agencies statewide. During APSO's recent conference, "Power to the Promise: Pay it forward," company leaders thanked members for their gift of service to communities across the state. President and CEO Mark Crosswhite paid tribute to members' ongoing work, as he recalled attending the 2014 APSO conference in his first official engagement as Alabama Power president and CEO. "We believe in safety, customer service, our employees, economic development and especially community engagement," Crosswhite said. "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." External Affairs 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." Smith noted that the company works to create prosperity for the state as a whole. "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." John Hudson, president of the Alabama Power Foundation and Public Relations vice president, said the company's culture encourages employees to take an active role in volunteering in the community. "What sets Alabama Power apart are employees willing to take time out of their day, time away from their families and dedicate it to helping others," Hudson noted. "It's our employees' willingness to serve – both on and off the job – that makes the Alabama Power family one of the most admired in the state." By Donna Cope Alabama Power leaders laud APSO members' service Crosswhite said employees' work within our communities strengthens families and the state of Alabama. "We've given the success and everything to our business, and it goes right back to the people of Alabama. We've served our customers' most basic needs for decades, and that reminds us of our purpose, our why." Quotable Quotes "The impact that APSO volunteers make in their communities can be seen across Alabama. By sacrificially giving their time and talents to help those in need, APSO volunteers are making a difference in thousands of lives each year." "When the leaders of these community agencies say they can't do it without APSO – that they couldn't survive – they mean it. You're doing a good service for the people." Jeff Harris, assistant business manager - International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers bobbie KnigHt Vice president, Birmingham Division trey Hayes APSO State President "The APSO group represents the very best that Alabama Power has to offer," Smith said.

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