LAND TRUST PRAISE - Alabama Power

January 21, 2013
POWERGRAMS
Published SINCE 1920 for the employees of Alabama Power Company
printed on recycled paper
LAND
TRUST
PRAISE
PG 4
EEI HONORS APC
PG 3
90 YEARS SAFE
PG 5

TEAMWORK
BEST video wins top prize
in Pass It On safety contest
Birmingham Division Power Delivery employees
know one misstep can change a life forever.
With that message as their central theme,
Birmingham Division crews, local operations
linemen and engineers teamed to produce
an original video to remind employees of the
importance of putting safety first. Their creation
was selected the winner from among 11 entries
in the 2012 Pass It On Employee Safety Video
Contest.
“We hope the video will open our eyes and
remind us to focus even more on safety,” said Reid
Kincaid, Patton Chapel Crew Headquarters lead
lineman. “We incorporated things we have seen
in the past and things we can work on to make us
better.”
The video was the brainchild of the Birmingham
Employee Safety Team (BEST), said Kincaid.
Employees at Trussville, Hueytown, Gardendale,
Patton Chapel, Metro South, 12th Street and
safety briefings or identify, control and eliminate
(ICE),” said Keith Gibson, safety specialist, HR-
Safety and Health. “The idea was to get them
more engaged with Target Zero and increase their
participation in the safety process.”
A committee of seven judges from Corporate
Headquarters, Generation, Power Delivery and
Distribution screened and evaluated the entries
based on three criteria – creativity, content and
theme. The top three videos were posted on
Powerlines in December, with employees voting on
their favorite entry.
On Jan. 2, Birmingham Division Power Delivery
was announced the winner, receiving 57 percent
of the votes. The group will be honored with an
engraved trophy at an upcoming BEST meeting.
“We were really pleased with the overall response
from the safety committees who worked so hard to
produce the videos and from the employees who
voted on them,” said Corporate Safety and Health
Photos by Wynter Byrd
ON THE COVER:
Alabama Power was honored
for its work in promoting
conservation.
Patton Chapel Crew Headquarters Lead Lineman Jason Wood showed the need for getting rest in the
Birmingham Division video.
Varnons Crew Headquarters took part in the
project, with each facility responsible for writing,
producing and performing a scene in the video.
In addition, division employees with a musical
bent put their talent to work by writing lyrics
and performing their own “safety songs” to help
reinforce the message.
“We gave the crews and engineers the general
idea behind the video, and then let them take over
and create their own part,” said LaClaire Douglass,
Metro South Office engineer, who with Kincaid
and others led the project. “We asked them to show
that working each and every day to make those safe
decisions is what will bring employees home safely
to their families.”
The other video contest finalists were Corporate
Real Estate and the Power Delivery Distribution
Management System.
In the second half of 2012, Alabama Power
launched the video contest to help keep the focus
on Target Zero and the 2012 Pass It On theme.
“We asked all the safety committees to create
locally produced videos using topics such as job
Manager Charlie Shaw. “It is our hope the videos
will also help all our employees who watched
them remember to keep their focus on safety in
everything they do.”
By Carla Davis
PAGE 2

AWARDS
EEI honors company
Hundreds of Alabama Power employees
traveled to restore power in other states.
Out of state restorations ‘the right thing to do’
Like the June derecho that
“came out of nowhere,”
Alabama Power employees
arrived in force to restore power
after the summer windstorms
and Hurricane Sandy in October.
In 2012, when many states
battled their toughest storms
in a century, Alabama Power
was there to help return life to
normal. That’s why the Edison
Electric Institute (EEI) on
Jan. 10 honored Alabama Power
with the prestigious Emergency
Assistance Award in Phoenix,
Ariz. The award recognizes
extraordinary efforts taken in
restoring power to another
electric utility’s customers whose
service is disrupted by severe
weather or other natural events.
“Alabama Power’s restoration
assistance following the June
windstorms and then Hurricane
Sandy was truly remarkable,” said
EEI President Tom Kuhn. “The
company’s crews were essential
in helping their fellow utilities
restore service. Their assistance
shows their compassion in
helping others in their time of
need.”
As a member of EEI’s mutual
assistance network – a voluntary
partnership of electric utilities –
Alabama Power contributes its
skilled force of employees and
contractors to help others. In the
case of the derecho, a state of
emergency was declared in Ohio,
West Virginia, Maryland and
Virginia because of major power
outages and widespread damage.
Less than five months later,
Superstorm Sandy hit. The worst
storm to hit the Northeast in
recorded history, Sandy packed
a heavy punch, combining high
winds, heavy rain and snow over
several days.
Alabama Power helped
following both of the distant
weather emergencies, with
crews working in sometimes
treacherous conditions.
Corey Sweeney, who with
Steve Thompson and Bobby
Hawthorne are directors of
the Storm Center at Corporate
Headquarters, said Alabama
Power is a liaison with any
subsidiary that needs help.
“Last year, as far as the
Southern Company footprint,
we had a few blows from
thunderstorms, but no 8- or
12-day outages,” said Sweeney,
Contract Services manager
- Power Delivery. “The June
derecho ambushed the Midwest
and Mid-Atlantic – there was
no advance warning. With
Sandy, the storm kept tracking,
and we planned several days in
advance to go and support our
Southeastern Electric Exchange
member utilities.”
After the derecho, Alabama
Power helped restore service to
more than 100,000 people in
Ohio.
With advance planning made
through mutual assistance
activities for Sandy, Alabama
Power stationed crews near
Washington, D.C., ready to work
after the storm came through.
Company teams, including
contract personnel, spent up to
18 days working 16-hour shifts
to restore electricity in West
Virginia, New Jersey and New
York. Many coastal areas are still
struggling to recover from Sandy,
with the homes of hundreds of
thousands of people destroyed
or damaged, and more than 130
people killed.
From a historical viewpoint,
Kuhn believes it’s important
to recognize the industry’s
“restoration heroes.” EEI
presented 20 recovery awards
and 30 assistance awards to
electric utilities that provided
exemplary service during 2012.
Georgia Power was honored
for restoration efforts after the
derecho and Hurricanes Isaac
and Sandy, and Gulf Power
received EEI’s assistance award
for work after the derecho and
Hurricane Sandy.
Power Delivery Vice President
Danny Glover said Alabama
Power and Southern Company
often provide aid to other
utilities through EEI’s Mutual
Assistance Program.
“We assist others because it’s
the right thing to do,” Glover
said. “Our employees always
Sixteen-hour shifts were the norm in Sandy recovery efforts.
want to help others in need. It’s
important to respond to requests
for help from other utilities. We
know that it’s only a matter of
time before we will need help
from those same companies.”
By Donna Cope
PAGE 3

ENVIRONMENT
Freshwater Land Trust names APC
Corporate Partner for Conservation
McCrary welcomed conservation leaders to meeting in Birmingham.
Alabama Power was among a group of prominent
companies to receive top honors Jan. 16
from the nonprofit Freshwater Land Trust as one
of the group’s prestigious Corporate Partners for
Conservation for 2012.
The company received the award during an event
hosted by Alabama Power President and CEO
Charles
McCrary at
Corporate
Headquarters.
He welcomed
about 40
corporate and
civic leaders
from across
the state who
attended the
event, which
featured
remarks by
Steve Crosby,
president of
Jacksonville, Fla.,-based CSX Real Property.
Jackson, left, presented framed award to
PR-Corporate Information Manager
Michael Sznajderman.
Alabama Power was honored for its longtime
commitment to the Birmingham-based Land
Trust, which has helped preserve more than 10,000
acres across north-central Alabama. The Land
Trust played a key role in creation of the new Red
Mountain Park and in the development of several
expanding greenways in Jefferson County.
Last year, Alabama Power joined with the Land
Trust, CSX Corp., the city of Birmingham and
a broad coalition of partners to seek a federal
Transportation Investment Generating Economic
Recovery (TIGER) grant to help rebuild portions
of tornado-damaged Pratt City and to kick-start
the development of the Red Rock Ridge and Valley
trail system that will link communities across
Jefferson County. The effort resulted in a $10 million
award that will be combined with $5 million in
local matching dollars toward the projects. The
Birmingham area was one of few communities
nationwide to receive one of the grants.
Wendy Jackson, executive director of the
Freshwater Land Trust, praised Alabama Power’s
longtime commitment to conservation efforts and
its participation in the TIGER grant initiative.
Birmingham Division Vice President Bobbie
Knight accepted the award on behalf of Alabama
Power.
CSX, which was instrumental in the creation of
the famed “High Line” park in New York City, was
honored as a key partner in securing the TIGER
grant.
Other companies honored at the Corporate
Partners for Conservation event included McWane
Inc., which recently completed construction
of Greenwood Park in Birmingham, and The
Westervelt Company, based in Tuscaloosa, which
worked with the Land Trust on several projects,
including an initiative to re-introduce the American
chestnut to Alabama’s forests.
It was the second time Alabama Power hosted
the Corporate Partners for Conservation breakfast,
which typically features a speaker from a major
national corporation involved in land conservation
efforts. The last time Alabama Power hosted, in
2008, the speaker was John Surma, chairman of the
board and chief executive officer of U.S. Steel.
By Michael Sznajderman
PAGE 4

SAFETY
Amazing Accomplishment
Southern Division Meter Tester Askew
has more than 20 years of experience.
PD Metering Service-Montgomery passes 90 years without injury
Good advice from veteran
employees is the secret
to PD Metering Service-
Montgomery’s 90-year stellar
safety record.
“When I came into the
metering department 21 years
ago, there were a lot of older guys
who took me under their wings
and worked with me one-onone
to teach me how to be safe
on the job,” said Frank Askew,
meter tester, Southern Division
Complex. “When I was young,
I would rush and try to be in a
hurry. But now that I’m more
seasoned, I see what the older
guys were telling me about taking
your time and being aware of
your surroundings. Now we try
to make the younger guys aware
of all the possible hazards that
are out there so they can look for
them.”
Thanks, in part, to this
willingness to share their
experience and knowledge,
Metering Service-Montgomery
employees reached a momentous
Target Zero milestone Jan. 8 – 90
years with no lost-time injuries.
“It’s more than amazing to
think about working 90 years
without an accident,” said Greg
Johnson, meter superintendent,
Askew checks meters behind
shopping center in Montgomery.
Southern Division Complex.
“This is a testament not only
to this group of employees and
their focus on safety, but also to
all who came before them. Those
who started this streak planted a
culture of safety excellence, and
our employees are handing it
down to those after them.”
The group’s safety success,
Johnson said, is also remarkable
when considering the thousands
Photos by Wynter Byrd
Askew runs report on computer in meter lab.
of miles employees travel each
year to every corner of Southern
Division. In 2012 alone, they
drove more than 197,000 miles
to take care of about 20,170 work
orders.
“We’re trained for meter work.
For the most part, if something
doesn’t look right, we can find
someone to step in and help us,”
Johnson said. “But when we’re
driving, we can’t control the other
person. That’s why driving safely
for 90 years, or 32,850 days, is
such an accomplishment.”
Like other work groups,
employees conduct job safety
briefings before every task and
wear personal protection gear.
Meter testers take turns
facilitating monthly safety
meetings, where all employees
are encouraged to discuss hazards
and close calls. They also look at
how to avoid hazards that could
occur while performing upcoming
jobs.
These employees, who inspect,
test, repair and maintain meters,
take charge of their own safety,
Askew said.
“We basically work alone, and
go to so many different places and
are exposed to so many different
things. Anything could happen,”
Askew said. “That’s why you have
to have a heightened awareness of
safety.”
“An accident-free record is
what the brotherhood strives to
achieve,” said Casey Shelton,
business manager, System
Council U-19, International
Brotherhood of Electrical
Workers. “Metering Service-
Montgomery has proven that in
the highly skilled jobs at Alabama
Power, focusing on every detail
and taking personal ownership is
the key to achieving Target Zero.”
Metering Services Manager
Reggie Murchison commended
employees for this unswerving
safety commitment.
“I’m proud of this work
group for their tremendous
accomplishment,” said
Murchison. “But they did not
earn this alone. These employees,
together with those who have
gone before them, have proven
Target Zero year after year is
truly possible with hard work,
dedication and a constant focus
on the importance of safety.”
By Carla Davis
PAGE 5

PROFILE
Wood has heart and soul in
helping Heflin grow, prosper
Heflin Business
Office Manager Wood
Wendell Wood is applying both heart and
soul to help grow jobs and assist his small
north Alabama city of Heflin.
Since 2008, Wood has chaired the city’s
Industrial Development Board, while serving as
an advisory board member to Cleburne County’s
Chamber of Commerce.
“It’s my hope we’ll get something good going
here,” said Wood, who has worked at Alabama
Power nearly 33
years. In Wood’s
crosshairs: the
seven-squaremile
area between
Interstate 20
exits 199 and
205, close to the
Georgia state
line. Perched
halfway between
Birmingham and
Atlanta, Wood’s
small town
is positioned
to handle a
burgeoning new
industry.
“We’ve installed
a water tower and
made highway
improvements,”
said Wood, who
meets with the
East Alabama
Photos by Wynter Byrd
Regional Planning Commission. “One reason we’re
working to do this is because of the economy. With
this recession, companies haven’t been willing to
step out and build new facilities. We’re hoping the
infrastructure we’re adding will place us in position
to attract a large new facility or industry.”
As business office manager (BOM) for Alabama
Power’s Heflin location, Wood is well aware of
needs in the community, whose population barely
edges over 3,000 for the city and 14,000 for the
county. For several years, he’s been actively involved
in HEARTS, the Helping Every Area Resident
to Succeed organization. Wood serves as secretary,
adviser and a fundraiser, helping HEARTS’
Executive Director Jackie Howle raise money
locally.
“Heflin has a high percentage of free lunch
students and parents who need financial help,”
Wood said. “HEARTS gives tennis shoes to kids
in need and provides backpacks to children, with
their school supplies tucked inside.”
One of the town’s largest employers, a chickenprocessing
facility, left a huge void when it closed
about five years ago. That’s one reason Wood
focuses heavily on economic development.
“Each day when I come in, I never know who
will come through that door,” said Wood. “It may
be a business owner with a question, a city leader
or a customer. When a customer comes in and
wants to close the door to talk, I know it’s serious.”
It’s not unusual for Wood to talk with customers
who are struggling financially. The office tries
to help customers find a solution by making
arrangements with them to help pay their bill.
They also refer customers to the local Community
Action Agency, Project Share or HEARTS. Even
with these avenues available, Wood said assisting
customers is a juggling act.
“We have financial goals we need to achieve,
and lowering the company’s electric service losses
is one of our goals,” said Wood, BOM for six
years. “That’s one of the reasons my job is both
challenging and rewarding – it’s rewarding to
help people get through the hard times. I have a
job to do, but at
the same time,
I want to be
compassionate.”
An avowed
“people person,”
Wood enjoys the
challenges of his
job. “It’s brand
new every day,
and I love it,” he
said.
Wood joined
Alabama Power
in 1980, mowing
grass at electric
substations.
He worked his
way up through
union ranks
to positions
of increasing
Wood, left, with Howle and Cleburne County Chamber of Commerce
President Steven Lines.
responsibility,
serving as a
Distribution
lineman 14 years. Wood moved to the Eastern
Division Control Center for a year, helping with
Transmission system operations. During that time,
he earned a marketing degree at Jacksonville State
University. He worked as a Marketing specialist at
the Talladega Office three years before moving to
Gadsden Engineering, serving as a Distribution
specialist seven years. In that role, Wood met daily
with residential and commercial customers, and
also spent a year serving as EDOC supervisor.
Wood grew up in Ohatchee, not far from Neely
Henry Hydro Dam. He said small-town life suits
him well. “I hate big-city traffic,” he said, with a
smile.
“To me, part of my job is helping the
community,” Wood said. “The good Lord blessed
me, and giving back is important. If I can help
folks, that’s what I want to do.”
By Donna Cope
PAGE 6

100% CONNECTED
Eufaula employee’s efforts
prompt presentation of
Booker Award for 2012
Photo by Don Franklin
O’Daniel, left, and Hutto congratulated Traylor at Booker Award ceremony.
We call her Teel ‘Can-Do’ Traylor.”
That statement from Alabama Power retiree John
Mills says it all.
Teel Traylor’s dedication, enthusiasm and
personality are three reasons the Energizers
presented the Southeast Division executive secretary
with the prestigious Sam Booker Award for 2012.
The honor is given annually to an Alabama Power
employee who goes beyond the call of duty to
support the retiree group.
Traylor accepted the award at the Energizers’
annual luncheon at Lakepoint State Park in Eufaula.
“I was caught off guard,” Traylor said about the
surprise presentation. “I am very honored to receive
this award.”
Traylor is the third Southeast Division employee
to receive the Booker Award, following former
Division Vice Presidents Mike Saxon and Roy
Crow.
Mills said the Southeast Energizers Chapter relies
heavily on Traylor’s support for communicating the
group’s scheduled quarterly meetings to about 150
active members. She maintains the membership
roster, as well as a “calling tree” used when members
need to be reached quickly. With a smile and
pleasant attitude, Traylor attends the Energizers
board of directors and quarterly meetings, helping
with tasks and correspondence.
“We feel that we have one of the strongest
Energizers chapters because of Teel’s efforts to
assist, encourage and lead us,” Mills said.
Traylor said she admires the charity work Energizers
do across the state.
“As we strive to be 100% Connected in our
communities, the Energizers are out there serving
as great ambassadors for us,” said Traylor, who
serves on the Farley/Southeast Division board for
the Alabama Power Service Organization. “Their
presence and the work they do certainly strengthen
and enhance our presence in our communities
in a very positive way. They are very active in our
communities and, as an employee, it’s nice to be
connected with our retiree group. Their history
with Alabama Power and the communities we
serve provides us with a better sense of how best to
make use of our volunteer resources for the greatest
benefit to our communities and our company.”
Traylor, who received the award three weeks
before the birth of her third child, Michael James,
said receiving the honor was “the perfect send-off.”
She’s even busier at home with her new addition,
and children, Sadie, 3, and A.J., 2.
“Our Southeast Division Vice President Richard
Hutto is 100 percent supportive of Energizers,”
Traylor said. “He appreciates their contribution to
the continued success of Alabama Power.”
Attending the Energizers’ 9 a.m. meeting every
Tuesday, Hutto enjoys a cup of coffee and lively
discussion with retirees while providing them
updates about Alabama Power business.
“Teel Traylor well deserves the Booker Award, and
Southeast Division is proud of her efforts to assist
our local Energizers,” Hutto said. “She’s proven
herself as a perfect example of a servant leader.”
By Donna Cope
PAGE 7

Thumbs Up!
Mobile customer Christopher Trahan
commended employees for their hard
work and dedication to getting power
restored in his area following the
tornado that hit on Christmas. Trahan
lives on South Carlen Street, where
much of the damage occurred. He said,
“Although employees seemed tired from
working long hours, they continued
to work until the job was done.”
Restoration efforts in that area were led
by Michigan Avenue Crew Foreman
Wendell Moss.
The E.C. Gaston Chapter of the
Alabama Power Service Organization
spent about $34,000 to make Christmas
brighter for 180 kids. The children’s
names and wish lists were provided
through various organizations,
including the Shelby, St. Clair, Chilton
and Talladega county departments of
human resources; Vincent and Wilson
elementary schools; the Boys Club
of Sylacauga; Toys for Kids and the
Alabama Institute for Deaf and Blind.
The Customer Service Center-
North Civic Team headed by Betsy
Weidenbach hosted a food drive
benefiting the Salvation Army.
Employees collected 600 cans of food
and delivered it just in time to help
provide Christmas dinner for many
needy people.
IN
MEMORIAM
Namon Johnson Jr., 70,
retiree, Service Building-
Birmingham District,
Jan. 3.
Milton Jones, 93, retiree,
Barry Steam Plant,
Dec. 4.
Hubert L. McBrayer, 64,
retiree,
Western Division Office,
Dec. 18.
Mary C. McClellan,
92, retiree, Corporate
Headquarters,
July 23, 2012.
Virgil L. Price, 69, retiree,
Corporate Headquarters,
Dec. 5.
Robert G. Roberts Jr.,
82, retiree, Corporate
Headquarters,
Dec. 28.
Leland C. Thompson, 88,
retiree, West Blocton,
Dec. 3.
Powergrams is published biweekly by Alabama Power for
its employees, retirees and friends. Please report address
changes by calling the editor.
TARGET ZERO
IN MEMORIAM
HER ES
Send us
your photo holding
Powergrams in an
exotic locale.
Eastern Division Fleet Services recently achieved eight
years without a recordable injury or preventable vehicle
accident. The group, which includes employees at
Anniston and Gadsden, received the Star Award. Shown
above, from left to right, are Trovia Harper, Luther
Bowden, Gregg Thomas, Jerry Sasser, Jody Marable,
Gary Henderson, Jamey Sorgee, Tim Spates, Mark
Crocker, Mike Mitchell, Shelia Cunningham, Patrick
McClure and Jeff Crocker. Below are Shanon Graham,
Marcus Brownlee and Mike McMahon.
Miller Steam Plant Team Leader Planning/
Engineering Keith Dickey recently attended
the nation’s largest fair, the Texas State Fair
in Dallas. Dickey annually visits such events
across the country, having gone to state fairs
in Missouri, Iowa, Illinois, Indiana, Wisconsin,
Ohio and Minnesota. Dickey took time to read
Powergrams while standing in front of
“Big Tex,” the 52-foot-tall symbol of the
Texas fair. An electrical malfunction
destroyed the 60-year-old animated
figure days after Dickey
was photographed.
POWERGRAMS staff:
Editor:
Chuck Chandler
205-257-3651
Assistant editors:
Donna Cope
and Carla Davis
Photo editor:
Bill Snow
Art director:
Jay Parker
Thumbs Up:
205-257-1433