POWERGRAMS

41 For nearly 30 years, Don Boyd was Alabama Power's own "storm chaser." Boyd was the most familiar face in the company's Power Delivery storm center, calmly heading up efforts to get the lights back on following every major weather event in Alabama since 1989. Since his April 1 retirement, Boyd's new duty is babysiing his 16-month-old granddaughter, Taylor. "Don was well-respected for his knowledge and experience," said PD Contract Services Team Leader Tim Tavel, who worked alongside Boyd in the storm center for 13 years. "He was like E.F. Huon. When Don Boyd spoke, people listened. It was not only that way at Alabama Power; it was that way throughout Southern Company and the SEE (Southeastern Electric Exchange)." Bobby Hawthorne agrees. "Don truly cares about those he works with, both as a person and as an employee," said Hawthorne, Distribution Engineering Services manager. "He has an amazing ability to listen to others with different opinions, understand their concerns and develop mutually acceptable solutions for everyone involved." Boyd was general manager of Power Delivery Services when he handed in his badge last spring. In that role, he led various organizations within Power Delivery, including Distribution Planning, Distribution Engineering Services, Vegetation Management, Metering, Distribution Management Systems and Business Processes. One of his major responsibilities was passing on his vast wealth of experience and knowledge as executive director of the storm center. "I had been involved with every storm restoration from Hurricane Frederic on and had held almost every position in the storm center, so as I approached retirement, it was important to prepare and mentor other people," Boyd said. Born and raised in Glencoe near Gadsden, Boyd was hired at Alabama Power in 1977 – a month aer graduating from Auburn University with a bachelor's degree in electrical engineering. He began his career as a junior engineer in Eufaula. For the next 10 years, Boyd remained in Southeast Division, working in field engineering, industrial marketing and engineering supervision. While there, he received his professional engineer license and a Master of Business Administration degree. It was soon aer Boyd arrived at the company that he discovered his passion for improving and optimizing storm restoration efforts. He was asked to lead a crew to Mobile to help restore power aer Hurricane Frederic in 1979 – a storm that, according to the National Weather Service, caused $2.3 billion in damages, destroyed many buildings along the Gulf Coast and took five lives. Boyd remembers he had to draw cash from his own bank account to help buy food and gas for his crew, and locate hotel rooms when they ended their first day at 2 a.m. Boyd, wife, Karen, and granddaughter Taylor. Co-workers learned drill from longtime storm center leader by Carla Davis Photos by Bernard Troncale HAPPY TRAILS Boyd in his woodworking shop at home.

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