POWERGRAMS

PG_May_June_2018

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CONTENTS HONORS J.D. Power polled more than 16,000 customers of the nation's 67 largest electric, gas and water utilities and found that Alabama Power is the nation's best "Digital Experience" with regard to websites, mobile apps, social, chat, email and text offerings. Page 1 SAFETY Life oen takes on new meaning for employees who marry, have children and then suddenly realize there are several more reasons to be safe on the job. Page 3 MUTUAL ASSISTANCE Months aer much of Puerto Rico was le in the dark by Hurricane Maria, the homes and businesses of many residents remained without electricity. Alabama Power sent equipment and employees to the island, assisting Puerto Ricans in geing their lights back on. Page 5 ENERGIZERS Retiree Danny Baker makes the most of his love of motorcycles, teaching rider safety and raising funds for charities when he heads out on the highway. Page 9 APSO Alabama Power Service Organization members across the state read books to children in local schools as part of Read Across America. Page 13 EDUCATION Thanks to a New Teacher Grant from the Alabama Power Foundation, a first- year teacher in Mobile was able to get off to a beer start for her students. Page 15 PROFILE Many parents teach their children how to throw and catch a ball. For some employees, the years of coaching lead to college scholarships and national notoriety. Page 17 PROFILE Graphic artist Brandon Smith's hobby has taken him from coast to coast as part of the Clave y Tumbao dance group. Page 20 ENVIRONMENT Just west of Birmingham, biologists search for an endangered animal found nowhere else on Earth, hoping to ensure the underwater creature will survive. Page 23 OUR TOWN Georgiana, located halfway between Evergreen and Greenville, is home to one of Alabama Power's smallest local offices but the town is known internationally as the place Hank Williams lived when he learned to play the guitar. Page 25 OUR TOWN SIDEBAR From 1931 through 1934, young Hiram Williams lived at 127 Rose Street in Georgiana, near the downtown streets where he'd learn to sing and play with Tee-Tot Payne. The house today is a museum that draws visitors from around the world. Page 32 ENVIRONMENT Bats save mankind money and grief by eating nuisance bugs and also pollinating plants and flowers. Alabama Power employees each year take part in catch-net surveys aimed at making sure federally protected species can survive. Page 37 COMMUNITY The Alabama Power Foundation provided funding for a mobile market that is bringing healthy, affordable food to low-income families, disabled people and senior citizens living in neighborhoods without full- service grocery stores. Page 39 COMMUNITY Alabama Power employees were involved early on in efforts to establish a community group to recruit businesses and revitalize the downtown in Selma. Page 41 HAPPY TRAILS Dale Gaston spent 38 years with Alabama Power Customer Services before retiring March 1. She was known as the "Office Mom" in the Pell City Office. Page 43 RETIREES Page 45 IN MEMORIAM Page 48 MAY-JUNE • 2018 EDITOR Chuck Chandler 205-257-3651 cchandle@southernco.com ART DIRECTOR Jay Parker CHIEF PHOTOGRAPHER Phil Free WRITERS Justin Averee Donna Cope Carla Davis Gilbert Nicholson CONTRIBUTING WRITERS Shirley Jackson CONTRIBUTING PHOTOGRAPHERS Auburn University Athletics Dan Anderson Wynter Byrd Alaina Denean Deshazo David Frings Dixie Hines Christopher Jones Ariel Rivera-Colón Dakota Sumpter Arden Upton ON THE COVER Sydne Waldrop runs the bases during an Auburn University soball game in 2017, when she was named to the Academic All-SEC team. Photo by Dakota Sumpter. Story on Page 17. POWERGRAMS © Alabama Power Company 2018 Retiree Danny Baker rides a Gold Wing for fun and fundraising. See page 9.

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