POWERGRAMS

17 helping a changing APC workforce What would you say to a young woman today who has senior leadership ambitions, but doesn't quite see the path for how to get there? Prepare yourself. I got my MBA at night at UAB while working in order to build a more competitive resume. I learned to play golf in order to enjoy the team-building aspect and to get to know my customers better. I realized there were opportunities for me if I was willing to move. I think that is still the case, that one has to extend oneself out of one's comfort zone in order to find the next opportunity. Ask for help. Anyone will give you 20 minutes if you make an appointment to seriously ask for career advice. When I was named local manager in Montevallo in 1993, I ran into Elmer Harris, president of Alabama Power at the time, in the headquarters cafeteria. I asked if I could ask him a few questions, and he promptly sat down and spent a few minutes giving me advice that was helpful in every job thereafter. You don't have to be perfect. It's important to focus on the job you have and performing well. Ask for challenges or projects. And be willing to help others, too. A major accomplishment under your watch was restoring power to Mobile Division customers aer Hurricane Katrina. Talk about the unique challenge of that storm. During my time in Mobile, we experienced hurricanes Georges, Ivan, Dennis and Katrina. The hurricane culture in Mobile dates back to Hurricane Frederic. Every single employee knew their special storm assignment and executed it well. That led to commitment and teamwork across the board. Alabama Power employees absolutely excelled at storm restoration, and I'm sure they still do. Katrina in 2005 was the worst; the vast majority of our customers were without power. My job was to be visible, ensure resource availability, stay in contact with community leaders and communicate confidence in our ability to meet the restoration timeline. What was the highlight of your time as Division VP? When I moved to Mobile, people in the community often said, "Our children go to college and don't come back because the jobs aren't here." We had a couple of good mayors, Mike Dow and Sam Jones, and excellent business leadership while I was there, and the economy began to grow. Chairing the Mobile Area Chamber of Commerce was very rewarding, as was helping to recruit the ThyssenKrupp steel mill. We focused on workforce development and retaining the industry we had. Working with an exceptional team of employees like Sam Covert, Eric Paerson, Bill Johnson, Joe Webb, Bernie Fogarty, Bob Holley, Denise Farmer and many others who were committed to excellence and to helping our employees to develop their careers was just as rewarding. I enjoyed working with our covered employees – they understood how important customer service is and worked hard to deliver excellent service. Some of our customers became dear friends and we still travel together. What people and connections helped make your time as VP a success? My first day on the job, Elmer Harris took me to meet Mayor Mike Dow and Howard Bronson, publisher of the Mobile Register newspaper. That lent credibility and was very helpful. Two new board members, David Cooper and Mayer Mitchell, were appointed to the Alabama Power Board of Directors shortly after I arrived. Elmer took me to each meeting when he invited them to be a board member. More credibility. A funny thing, on the way to Mayer Mitchell's office, Carolyn Feltus called to tell me the power was out at Mr. Mitchell's office where we were to meet. Mr. Harris knew the exact substation affected. I wheeled in, we got out and shook hands with the linemen there, ascertained when the power would be restored and were on time for the lunch in Mr. Mitchell's office. Thirty minutes later, the power came back on. I was a little nervous for a bit, but Elmer took the whole thing in stride. Fortunately, the conference room had a lot of windows. The support of Robin Hurst in Distribution and Bobby Kerley in Transmission was solid. Robin started to work in Mobile Division and understood the power challenges on the Coast. After I had sat on the hot seat in the office of Mitsubishi's management trying to explain away several costly service interruptions to their processes, Bobby Kerley's transmission team totally rebuilt a transmission line to Mitsubishi. They did it in only two days with bucket trucks impressively lined up and down the highway, and wowed the Mitsubishi people. My husband, Jerry, was a terrific male "corporate spouse." Phyllis McCrary, wife of Charles McCrary, CEO, was great at making Jerry feel comfortable in that role. He knew many of our customers and employees well. Carolyn Feltus was a great administrative assistant. She knew everyone inside and outside Alabama Power and how to get things done. It's always good to follow good people, and Bruce Jones, previous division vice president, was a good help to me. What's ahead for you at this point in your journey? I have been retired for 13 wonderful years now and look forward to traveling to Africa this year. We are enjoying life, making new friends in Auburn with an eye to living full time in Auburn at some point, and spend time in Port St. Joe, Florida. I am so fortunate to have been married to a fine man for 53 years and hope for more. by Anthony Cook Thompson on the Atlantic coast in Portugal. Enjoying a sunset in Port St. Joe, Florida. Gameday on The Plains

• Cover