POWERGRAMS

10 was looking at paying for college for eight children." Corporate Real Estate helped sell the home, smoothing the move to Gadsden. TAKING A TURN AT LEADERSHIP IN GADSDEN McKenzie's next 20 years with Alabama Power focused on building strong customer relationships, as he took leadership roles in groups that strengthened the city of Gadsden. He was president of the Chamber of Commerce, the Kiwanis Club, the Coosa-Alabama River Improvement Association, Keep Etowah Beautiful, United Way, Parish Council of St. James Catholic Church and the PTA. He was on the boards for Riverview Regional Medical Center and Greater Gadsden Housing Authority, among others. "Alabama Power encourages you to get involved in your community," he said. "I continue to do that. You have to look at things in the community that need to be done, and try to do your part." Retiring in 1989, he didn't rest on his laurels. Two years later, then-Gadsden Mayor Steve Means tapped McKenzie as his assistant. The position was a natural fit for a gregarious leader who was primed to handle people issues after his stint as Gadsden District manager. The job turned out to be very similar to his prior role. "Many of the same folks who had been my customers at Alabama Power sometimes called the mayor's office," McKenzie said. "I once took a call from a woman, and was trying to help with her complaint. All of a sudden she said, 'I know who you are, you helped me with a problem I had at the power company.' "After that," he said, "I couldn't do anything wrong, as far as she was concerned. It worked out very well." He served Means for nearly six years, until "I decided to finally retire and be done with it." WORKING AS A SERVANT LEADER IN ENERGIZERS McKenzie keeps his hand in community work as the chapter reporter for the Gadsden Energizers, taking the minutes at bimonthly meetings at the Plant Gadsden Pavilion. He served three years as chapter president. From the beginning, Tom and Charlotte have helped with Energizers' popular Black-eyed Pea Luncheon, the group's major fundraiser. The annual event's notoriety has spread so much that Energizers now deliver the meals, as well as serve more than 200 folks who indulge in the country-style fare in the Pavilion. Gadsden Energizers do everything from coordinating and cooking, to donating food and supplies, to publicizing the event. "The Black-eyed Pea Luncheon is a great opportunity for us to socialize and meet other company people, and to raise funds for charities," McKenzie said. "Our membership, with its many contacts, helps us to decide the charities that benefit from our work. It's a good thing." Gadsden Energizers President Buford Lee agrees. "It is the great success of our annual luncheon that allows our chapter to support seven charitable groups in our area," Lee said. "Our members take so much pleasure in serving and investing in our community. It's really important to us." SAVORING FRUITS OF THEIR LABOR In addition to their community work, the McKenzies are enjoying retirement. Their children – who all attended the University of Alabama – have careers and busy families of their own. "For 19 straight years, we had a child in college, with no gaps," he said. "When people ask if Charlotte worked, I always say she ran a commercial kitchen and a commercial laundry. Now, we love visiting and trying to keep up with our children, 16 grandchildren and 14 great-grandchildren. "We've been fortunate," McKenzie said. "They've all stayed close. Four of our children, who live in the state, were here for Mother's Day." He and Charlotte plan to continue their work with Energizers. They've toured Europe three times with Energizers travelers. "The Lord's been good to us, we're still here," McKenzie said with a laugh. "I've had a happy life. I always tell people my wife has taken good care of me, and she still does." GADSDEN ENERGIZERS BOOST THEIR COMMUNITY IN 2016 Through their volunteerism in the Black- eyed Pea Luncheon and other events, Gadsden Energizers raised $4,000, distributed to these nonprofit groups in Etowah County: • Catholic Center for Concern • Etowah Baptist Mission Center • Manna • Meals on Wheels • Pilot Club • Salvation Army • Way of the Cross. McKenzies attend an Energizers meeting.

• Cover