POWERGRAMS

14 alternative fuel options, including a co-firing system using native switchgrass. The plant received a Southeastern Electric Exchange award for the project in 2001. Expanding leadership at Plant Gadsden and Southern Company Plant Gadsden in 2012 marked a pivotal, historic moment for Alabama Power and Southern Company when Wheeler became the first Black female plant manager. "We had just begun the transition from coal to gas and also burning biomass," said Wheeler, who honorably served six years in the Air Force before leaving to earn a bachelor's degree in electrical engineering at the University of Cincinnati. "We had to have units reliable for the fleet. It was an adjustment due to the change in fuel type. We had an amazing and dedicated team of individuals, many of whom had been there for most of their respective careers. I was privileged to be able to collaborate with people like that." Wheeler noted that "Alabama Power is always a noticeably big presence in any community but, in a small community like Gadsden, we stood out. I was happy to be a part of being a citizen where we served in Gadsden." Wheeler left Plant Gadsden in 2014 when she was tapped to lead Plant Hammond in Georgia, serving as manager for nearly four years. She later served as director of Georgia Power's northwest region, before becoming the director of Supply Chain Management for Southern Company in Atlanta. Her tenure at Plant Gadsden provided important work experiences that helped advance her career. "The value in building and nurturing community and business partner relationships is something I gained while there, and I sought to take that to the next level," Wheeler said. "In my current role, having served in operations and later external affairs, I have Huge transformers dwarf Gadsden worker (at top); Wheeler in front of Gadsden employee building in 2012; (below) Gadsden Steam Plant under construction (Archives photo).

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