POWERGRAMS

8 increasing interaction, open dialogue and relationship-building. • Leadership Involvement: The CCI will engage first- and second-line supervisors to build leadership throughout the company and increase employee participation. • Communications Strategy: Consistent employee communication is key to instilling the company's culture focus and sharing the work of the CCI. NEW EMPLOYEES ATTEND FORUM, RECEIVE STUDENT OF THE BUSINESS TRAINING Nearly 250 new employees from Alabama Power and Alabama-based Southern Company Services spent a day in downtown Birmingham becoming students of the business in early February. The New Employee Forum, hosted by the CCI, provided an overview of the company's values, operations and commitment to elevating the state. Company leaders attended the annual event and gave insights on the areas they oversee. "Our employees are the real face of the company, so it's important that everyone understands our business and knows what's going on in our industry," said CEO Mark Crosswhite. "I'm honored to be on a team with so many dedicated people." Crosswhite and Southern Company Executive Vice President of Operations Stan Connally opened the forum by discussing Our Values and the significance of each. "Safety is our highest priority," Crosswhite said, "and we want to do everything we can to make sure you go home the same way you come to work every day." Speaking on Unquestionable Trust, Connally said, "Building that trust takes time, and it doesn't happen without building relationships with your teammates and with our customers." Peoples spoke about the importance of safety, asking new employees to remember two things: "One, understand the critical risks most prevalent in your area of the business and how to prevent them, and two, if you see something, say something – take advantage of our reporting tools like Close Call+." More than 20 expo booths provided attendees with information and resources, including Safety and Critical Risk Management, the Outage Alerts program, Corporate Services, American Association of Blacks in Energy, Greener State, the Alabama Power Service Organization, Alabama NewsCenter and Renew Our Rivers. Booths about company operations, such as Generation and Power Delivery, provided interactive experiences to help new employees better understand the energy industry and how the company is evolving to meet customer needs. In the afternoon, new employees attended breakout sessions that covered ways the company makes, moves and sells electricity, as well as how employees can maximize their career and benefits. "I think it's great that our leadership takes the time to host events like this," said Safety & Health Coordinator Brittany Durfeld. "It shows that they value employees and their contributions to the company. I learned a lot from the booths and breakout sessions, too." By Whitney Massey and Mitchell Kilpatrick The CCI works to: • Attract, develop and retain employees of diverse backgrounds. • Raise awareness of the company's diversity and inclusion challenges, strategies and successes. • Listen and respond to recommendations throughout the company to create an environment of inclusion, respect and fairness among all employees. Aureale Vann, Jason Perkins, Gloria Brown, Nick Hatcher, James Carter, LaKeidra Brock Caleb Atkinson, Tasha Embry discuss event.

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