POWERGRAMS

CONTENTS LINEMAN APPRECIATION The state of Alabama sets aside the first Monday in June each year to recognize and honor the men and women who work around the clock to ensure a safe and uninterrupted supply of power. Page 1 SECURITY Alabama Power investigators go into the field each day to find where power is being stolen, document the theft and then either recoup the losses or prosecute the offenders. Page 7 ENVIRONMENT Employees keep their eyes on the skies and trees along Alabama Power lake shorelines to help protect the majestic symbol of the United States. Page 9 APSO Members of the Alabama Power Service Organization in chapters across the state gather and mail items needed by soldiers abroad in the fight for freedom. Page 13 ENERGIZERS Retired Alabama Power workers and their families in the Southeast Division help fund community nonprofit groups by auctioning natural honey and homemade syrup. Page 15 INNOVATION Property Services employees continuously monitor the condition of roofs at division offices, crew headquarters, warehouses and substations to ensure company buildings stay in top shape. Page 17 COMMUNITY Birmingham Division Vice President Jonathan Porter is heading efforts that will culminate in four years with thousands of athletes from across the globe visiting Birmingham for the 2021 World Games. Page 21 OUR TOWN The eyes of scientists around the world have been on Wetumpka in recent years following the discovery of the meteor crater within the city, but the town north of Montgomery has much more to celebrate than odd geology. Page 25 OUR TOWN SIDEBAR Fort Toulouse-Jackson is one of the most historic places in America, where future President Andrew Jackson signed a treaty with the Creek nation handing over 23 million acres of land to the U.S. Visitors today find the site little changed from 1814. Page 33 EDUCATION Alabama Public Television has for many years relied on the support of Alabama Power, which has funded documentaries that won Emmys and other top broadcasting awards. Page 36 EDUCATION The Literacy Council of Central Alabama could have been shut down by a destructive fire at its headquarters, but instead rose from the ashes to improve its setting and the important programs being offered. Page 37 HAPPY TRAILS Former General Services Manager Jim Prestwood made a name for himself in 41 years working with thousands of Alabama Power employees, both for his easy-going manner and his support of the arts community. Page 39 INNOVATION For more than 110 years, Alabama Power employees have been on the cutting edge of technology, often coming up with ideas that forever improved the state and industry. "In Our DNA" seeks a continuation of innovation while letting customers know how the company makes their lives better. Page 41 HISTORY Shortly after Alabama Power became a company, Tom Martin placed at the top of his communications plan the idea of beginning a newsletter to keep employees informed. Nearly a century later, Powergrams continues spreading the APC word to workers and retirees. Page 43 RETIREES Page 46 POSTCARDS TO POWERGRAMS Page 46 IN MEMORIAM Page 47 THUMBS UP Page 48 POWERLINES Here's how to make the employee intranet website your home page on the job. Page 48 MAY - JUNE • 2017 EDITOR Chuck Chandler 205-257-3651 cchandle@southernco.com ART DIRECTOR Jay Parker WRITERS Donna Cope Carla Davis Gilbert Nicholson Allison Westlake CONTRIBUTING WRITERS Leah Rawls Atkins Erin Harney CONTRIBUTING PHOTOGRAPHERS Dan Anderson Billy Brown Wynter Byrd Phil Free Mark Jerald Chris Jones Steven Rod MacLeroy Meg McKinney Colin Peterson Bernard Troncale ON THE COVER Wetumpka's Bibb Graves Bridge welcomes visitors to the seat of Elmore County. Photo illustration based on an original photo by Meg McKinney. Story on Page 25 POWERGRAMS © Alabama Power Company 2017 Athletes from around the world celebrated at the conclusion of the 2013 World Games in Cali, Columbia. Birmingham will host the 2021 World Games. (Page 21)

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