POWERGRAMS

PROFILE "Despite the economic downturn affecting our nation in recent years, we in the IBEW have prospered." Casey Shelton, International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers U-19 System Council business manager, attributes the union's continued growth and success to the commitment and leadership of International President Ed Hill, who recently retired after 14 years. IBEW members are retirees and employees from various fields, including utilities, construction, broadcasting, telecommunications, railroads and government. Alabama Power Chairman, President and CEO Mark Crosswhite, Executive Vice President Zeke Smith, Regulatory and Corporate Affairs Vice President Nick Sellers, IBEW U-19 Assistant Business Manager Jeff Harris, Corporate Utility Relations Manager Bill Frederick and Shelton joined more than 1,400 business and union leaders recognizing Hill at a retirement celebration in Washington, D.C., on Sept. 9. When he retired on June 1, Hill passed the gavel to Lonnie Stephenson, vice president of IBEW's Sixth District. "Ed has been a great leader," said Crosswhite. "He has been a force for stronger connections between utilities and the union, for the betterment of our industry and energy policy. He has been a great inspiration to me, helping us at Alabama Power continue to build on our strong relationship with the brotherhood so we can better serve our customers." One of Hill's legacies, Shelton said, is his effort to cement relationships between the IBEW and employers. In the same way, IBEW U-19 members have worked for many years to strengthen ties with Alabama Power management. "Ed has gone throughout the entire country promoting the benefits of having good relationships between the brotherhood and management, and he uses Alabama Power as his example," said Shelton. "He represented about 750,000 union members in the U.S. and Canada, and yet, he knows me and Mark Crosswhite on a first-name basis and knows what our union and company have done to build relationships. I think that's very important." Hill was instrumental in several landmark initiatives. One of his most important efforts was introducing the Code of Excellence, which encourages IBEW members to maintain a high standard of professionalism, productivity and safety. It is designed to "bring out the best in employees," he said. "Anti-union propaganda had created a perception that hiring union workers was bad for business, but we knew better," said Hill. "We just had to remind our customers and, truth be told, some of our members, that high standards of craftsmanship and productivity are hallmarks of the IBEW and the foundation of a profitable business." Hill launched two initiatives that had a tremendous impact on the utility industry. In 2009, he helped create the National Utility Industry Training Fund, a partnership between utilities and the IBEW to standardize and improve training. Alabama Power, Kansas City Power and Light, Detroit Edison and Tucson Electric have teamed with the IBEW to provide standardized apprenticeship training, safety training and needs-specific training to fill employment gaps caused by the retirement of the baby boomer generation. Under Hill's leadership, the Edison Electric Institute, which represents investor-owned utilities, and the IBEW joined forces to create the Labor and Management Public Affairs Committee (LAMPAC). The goal of the annual national conference is to bring business executives and IBEW leaders together to discuss common objectives and issues affecting them. Before moving into regional and international prominence, Hill was an electrical journeyman in the construction industry. He was local IBEW business manager and vice president of the Third District covering New York, Pennsylvania, New Jersey and Delaware. He was appointed international secretary in 1997 and became secretary-treasurer a year later. When he stepped into his role as international president, Hill said, "Some leaders in Washington revel in hobnobbing with the powerful. I recognize the importance of a strong presence in the halls of power, but I know that any power we wield comes from our strength in numbers and our solidarity as a working people." Jim Hunter, director of the IBEW Utility Department, said Hill was a firm believer that the success of a company and the union are interrelated. "I think that under Ed's leadership, the IBEW has become one of the strongest and most influential unions in the whole of the AFL-CIO," Hunter said. "He was the most respected union leader on Capitol Hill and in any arena where he represented the IBEW." As part of their trip to Washington for Hill's retirement celebration, Alabama Power executives and IBEW U-19 leaders met with IBEW International utility staff in a brainstorming session focusing on issues directly affecting the power industry, such as employee training, on-the-job safety and environmental regulations. The discussion was part of continuing efforts to strengthen the bond between Alabama Power and the union at the international level. Shelton said despite Hill's international rank in the IBEW hierarchy, he never forgot his roots as an electrician. "Through his initiatives, Ed worked to add value to what it means to be an IBEW worker," Shelton said. "He wanted us to be sought-after employees because of our work ethic, our professionalism and our high safety standards." By Carla Davis IBEW International president retires after years strengthening union, company bonds 2 Mobile Division's Lance Johnson works out in preparation for an upcoming obstacle course race. Photo by Dan Anderson. ON THE COVER: Retiring IBEW leader addressed members. Hill retired after 14 years as top union official.

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