POWERGRAMS

7 In recent years, Leeds has become a booming community, with many new businesses and residents moving into the area. To better serve its growing customer base, the Leeds Office recently received a long overdue facelift. In less than six months, the office added a fourth cashier window, installed several energy-efficient features and added parking spaces. The renovation was the office's first transformation since Alabama Power moved into the building in the late 1950s, said Chris Barnes. "We had been looking for ways to improve our overall customer experience for the past few years," said Barnes, Leeds Office manager. "We were able to utilize an additional area in our existing building to expand our office so we could serve our community more effectively and better meet our customers' needs. Alabama Power has operated an office in Leeds since the late 1920s, and the new office shows the long-term commitment we have made in Leeds and the surrounding areas." The design team focused on cost- conscious improvements that retained the quaint storefront look but at the same time gave a more progressive feel. David Hoyle, who was Leeds Office manager in the late 1990s, remembers the days when having more than three or four customers in the office could become a problem. "The employee workstations were small, and the area where the customers paid their bill was tight and confining," said Hoyle, now manager of the Metro South Office. "The new office will allow customers to enter and exit the building more easily and will improve their overall experience." Several energy-efficient features provide added comfort for employees and customers as well as reduce the cost of maintaining the building. For instance, LED lighting equipped with controllers will work together with motion sensors to manage the amount of wattage needed to light the building, said Corporate Architect Allen McLendon. Insulation has been added throughout the building, reducing the costs of operating the office. "That building was essentially uninsulated," said Gary Nash, one of the designers. "We added cellulose insulation, which is made from recycled newspaper. We used cellulose because it's fireproof, prevents air infiltration, is a great sound-proofing material and helps protect against bugs." Double-paned storefront windows with low-emissivity (low-E) glass and a 7-foot canopy over the sidewalk will further insulate the building. "Those primary features – insulation where there was none, double-paned storefront windows and an LED lighting package – will turn that building into a high-performance facility," Nash said. "And while we didn't replace the HVAC (heating, ventilation and air conditioning) system, I would expect incredible gains because it will use a lot less energy and will not have to work as hard." McLendon said security was improved by installing a badge-access system and adding glass partitions to the cashier workstations. Although the new office was unveiled in December, work continued for the next couple of months in the portion of the building that previously housed the Leeds Office. That area, which will be completed in early March, includes a new conference room, a break room and additional office space. The conference room adds efficiency to the office operations, providing a place for the employees to congregate more effectively. A plug-in electric vehicle charging station will soon be installed in front of the office. Alabama Power will use the station for its plug-in electric cars and trucks, saving traditional fuel expense. Alabama Power continues to evaluate public charging stations at other business offices to serve customers' growing adoption of plug-in electric vehicles, Barnes said. Safety was Barnes' top priority throughout construction. "The construction moved fast, and everyone had to be mindful of hazards that would affect the team and our customers," Barnes said. "I am proud to say we maintained Target Zero throughout the project. This could not have been achieved without the dedication of everyone working together and being focused on safety." Karen Williams, Leeds customer service representative, is thrilled with the newly remodeled office. "It's beautiful," said Williams, who has worked in the Leeds Office since 1999. "Because of the age of the building, dust and smoke had gotten into the air ducts and air-conditioning vents. No matter how many times you cleaned your desk, there was still soot. Now everything is so new and clean. It makes us feel like we are important to our company." Retiree Pat Davis recently dropped by the office to get a peek at the renovations. Davis was a Leeds customer service representative from 1969 to 1987 and returned six times as a contractor after retirement. Reflecting on those early years in the tiny office, she said employees hand-stamped each bill and totaled their stubs using an adding machine. Because there were no computers, the daily cash reports were mailed to Southern Company in Atlanta for processing. Davis also recalled that employees worked at open desks crammed behind the cashier window, and office security was provided by the police station next door. A fixture in the community The Leeds Office has a history of serving the community. Former office managers Hoyle, James Files and Edna Felton each served as president of the Leeds Chamber of Commerce. In addition, employees have distributed candy during Leeds Halloween festivals, supported the annual Leeds Creek Bank Festival, provided gifts for Salvation Army Angels, taken part in the Leeds Renovations

• Cover