POWERGRAMS

19 Living in lovely Fairhope on the Gulf Coast, one would expect Carolyn Feltus to be relishing a relaxing retirement. Instead, she's taken the full-time mantle of community service, working with schools and charitable groups since retiring last year. Feltus is chairwoman of the Mobile Bicentennial Commiee, helping plan celebrations for the Mobile area and Alabama. "Now I'm retired, I'm still doing it all," Feltus said, with a smile. "I'm doing the wonderful stuff that makes your heart feel joy. It's the small things." Longtime friends from Alabama Power and Mobile civic organizations aren't surprised Feltus has stayed on the go. As assistant treasurer for the Mobile Energizers, she arranges the details for bimonthly meetings of the 200-member retiree group, selecting speakers and meals for get-togethers. Leading dozens of projects throughout her nearly 30 years at Alabama Power, Feltus stepped into her new role naturally. "I worked with Mobile Energizers long before I retired, helping with anything I could," Feltus said. During her career, she was administrative assistant to Mobile Division Vice Presidents Bruce Jones, Cheryl Thompson and Mike Saxon. Volunteering in the community for 20 years through the Alabama Power Service Organization, Feltus was the first recipient of the statewide Patsy Topazi Leadership Award in 1997, and APSO state president in 2001. On behalf of the state Energizers, in 2013 President Bob O'Daniel bestowed Feltus with the Sam Booker Award. She is the only person in company history to receive both honors. Feltus is secretary of Bay Shore Christian School Board; is past president and has been on the board of Feeding the Gulf Coast since 1993; and has been a member of Executive Women International for 25 years, serving at local and national levels. COMMEMORATING ALABAMA'S 200-YEAR HISTORY Feltus organized the Alabama 200 launch ceremony in Mobile, forming a strong bicentennial presence on the Gulf Coast. She selected Gulf Quest, the national maritime museum on the Mobile River, as the kickoff site. "As a maer of fact, the May 5 launch of our bicentennial in Mobile was the first official event Gov. Kay Ivey aended," Feltus said. On Dec. 8, 2017, she was named honorary ambassador by state Sen. Arthur Orr and the Alabama Bicentennial Commission, becoming one of three Alabamians with a crucial role in celebration planning. In August, Feltus was a judge in selecting 200 state schools to receive $2,000 grants to support a yearlong project to strengthen connections between campuses and communities. Another 73 schools received honorary status and were awarded $500 grants. The Bicentennial Commission's aim is to boost efforts to bring Alabama history into the classroom. "It's important for the state's children to learn about the great history of the state and the many impressive citizens of Alabama," Feltus said. ENERGIZERS Feltus, with the Fairhope Pier in background.

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