Issue link: https://alabamapower.uberflip.com/i/1357864
31 alma mater, Auburn University, and joined Birmingham Division a month later as a distribution field engineer. "My grandfather worked in transmission, my father in generation and I worked in distribution," Mike said. "I'm proud of that. ... We covered all three aspects of providing electricity to the customers in the state." Mike's and his father's careers overlapped for six years – with Joe assisting with plant construction and Mike designing, maintaining and operating the electric distribution system. During that time, Mike participated in a number of outages, storm duty and an International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers strike – an experience he shared with his father. "In 1967, my father was locked in at Barry Steam Plant in Mobile for six months," Mike said. "That was a difficult time to work at the power company – with the rate increases and the criticism of Gov. George Wallace … the company didn't have a great reputation. "In 1982 there was another strike and I served as a lineman in distribution to help keep the power on during that seven-week period," Mike said. "That experience helped me become a better distribution engineer because I knew what went into actually building the system. I gained a much greater appreciation for what the line crews do on a daily basis to maintain service to our customers." Even though Joe worked at the company during a challenging time, he said in Powergrams, "If I could begin my work career over again, and assuming my educational background was the same, I cannot name another company that I would choose in preference to Alabama Power." His appreciation for the company was passed down to his son. "It's a great company to work for because it's very stable, has great benefits and, of course, the best people – I've always had great co-workers," Mike said. "They're not just colleagues, but friends that are part of your life. Even if you move to another department or area of the company and you don't see one another for a year or two – when you see them again, it's like old friends." In 2000, Mike joined the Distribution Planning Department – creating electrical model simulations of the distribution system and applying load-growth estimates to identify future needs of the system. Throughout his 20 years in planning, Mike has either planned or supervised the planner for every division in the state – experience that gives him great pride. C.B. Hawkins' diploma from Alabama Polytechnic Institute.