Leonard’s service to others extends well beyond sports. As president of the Pelham Parks and Recreation Advisory Board in Alabama, he advocates for and helps develop playgrounds and green spaces that bring the community together. 

Leonard notes Southern Company’s involvement in these efforts: “Southern Company and Alabama Power, have been tremendous partners to the community.” 

As a pro bono lawyer, Leonard volunteers with Pathways Legal Aid, providing free legal assistance to those in need. He has also made mission trips to Africa, where he has helped provide dental and medical services to rural communities.  

Tying all these activities together is Leonard’s dedication to being a servant leader: "My passion is around building other people up and giving them hope to do things they probably thought they could not have done," he shares. 

Dr. King asked, “What are you doing for others?” Through his service, Leonard answers the question every day and inspires others to be a Citizen Wherever They Serve. 

Clarissa's sense of duty led her to join Ohio State’s Army ROTC program, eventually commissioning as an active-duty Army officer. She served in various roles, including as a tank platoon leader and a trainer for new recruits.  

"It's a great honor to be able to serve your country," she says, emphasizing the importance of giving back.  

Transitioning to civilian life, Clarissa found a new community at Southern Power. Through the SkillBridge program, Clarissa was able to build a support network within Southern Power before officially joining the company.  

SkillBridge is a Department of Defense initiative that allows for transitioning service members to work within Southern Company and gain invaluable experience while still serving their country.  

Clarissa's role at Southern Power involves ensuring compliance and safety, requiring strong communication and trust with her team.  

"I want them to feel comfortable talking to me about their issues and what they need on site," she said.  

Her team-first mentality makes her a vital contributor to the company well beyond her immediate team at Henrietta Solar Project in California. Similarly, her team sports experiences continue as a member of the Fresno Hockey League, where she trains and competes with a diverse group of teammates, both men and women.  

Through her journey, Clarissa has found that community and teamwork are essential, whether on the ice, in the military or at Southern Company.  

“The men and women of that department showed us unconditional love, and now we want to stay connected and continue to support them,” she said. 

She supported the fire department by serving on the Atlanta Fire and Rescue Foundation’s Young Executives board for nearly a decade. 

“Although I'm not serving on the board anymore, The Joshua Stukes Foundation still partners closely with them, and we support each other however we can,” she said. 

TJSF’s tagline, “Living Life to the Fullest,” is a phrase that Joshua would often say and a philosophy that Ashley has wholeheartedly embraced through giving back, now instilling the importance of community involvement in her three children, hoping they will carry on the legacy of service and safety. 

Eric’s first music video was produced at a utility company he was working for while living in  California. He had grown frustrated with typical safety presentations and wanted to do something different to connect with his trainees. 

“I wanted to not only talk about safety but present it in a way that people remembered it," he explained.

Encouraged by the positive reception of the video, Eric brought back his new approach to safety training to Nicor Gas, where he had been an employee for 24 years.  

His “good energy” has made a significant impact at Nicor Gas. His engaging teaching methods include not only parody videos but also interactive physics demonstrations and other fun ways of connecting with trainees.

"Nicor and Southern Company have allowed me to be myself. They allow me to bring my own unique teaching style," he said.

His upcoming projects include parodies of "Purple Rain" by Prince (“Purple K”), focused on fire extinguisher safety, and a song called “No Slips, Trips or Fallin’,” which is inspired by Tom Petty’s "Free Fallin'.”

Outside of parody music videos, Eric has written a song called “Tank Love” which appeared on a television program called “Toon In with Me,” and he has also written and performed music for couples at weddings. 

Eric's ultimate goal is to write a jingle for a commercial. "If I could write something like that, something memorable, that would be fantastic," he shared, “Even a little jingle can have a profound impact on you.”

With his creative spirit and dedication, Eric is sure to continue having a profound impact on his trainees and listeners. 

Safety is paramount in Paul's beekeeping practices. He emphasizes the importance of proper equipment and planning, drawing parallels between his role at Southern Company and his beekeeping.

"Being a safety specialist at Southern Company has kept the Safety First mindset in my thinking," Paul explains. "If I don't have the correct personal protective equipment on, I could get stung." He also highlights the need for thorough inspections, much like his safety checks with line crews at work, to keep his bees healthy and safe. 

On multiple occasions, Paul has removed and rescued bee colonies who made their homes on Mississippi Power property. He is informally known as Mississippi Power’s beekeeper, and he is appreciative of being able to share his deep passion and respect for bees with his coworkers.

Paul’s beekeeping reflects more than just Southern Company’s value of Safety First. His commitment to careful planning and responsible caretaking exemplifies Superior Performance and leads to honey that’s the bee’s knees. 

Approximately 10% of Southern Company employees are veterans, and the company is a partner of the Department of Defense’s SkillBridge program that prepares veterans for employment after service.

In 2020, Larry and his team acquired two American flags that were initially dedicated at the Pentagon. One of these flags became a focal point of the Wall of Honor, where it remains on display today. In 2023, Larry’s team felt a greater need for a more dynamic recognition of station veterans, and the other flag was given a continued purpose through the Traveling Flag Project. 

The Traveling Flag now tours sites of historical and military significance around the country where it is flown in honor of station veterans. It has flown at places such as The Alamo, Yorktown Battlefield, the USS Eisenhower and Pearl Harbor.

“The flag’s had a busy year. We originally wanted to have the flag flown in all 50 states, and we're working down that list as we can develop flag flying opportunities,” Larry said.

Photos of the Traveling Flag have already generated significant engagement not just at Farley but across the Southern Company system.

“Part of the goal of the Traveling Flag Project is to highlight some of the things that might be points of discussion, places of entry to get into a conversation between veterans and non-veterans,” Larry said, “We've got a lot of places that make interesting conversation for veterans and non-veterans to sit down and have an icebreaker.”

While pursuing her licensed commercial helicopter license, Rebecca currently holds private and instrument ratings for helicopters and a single-engine land license for small airplanes.

Rebecca also dedicates her time to volunteering with Women in Aviation and Whirly Girls, where she helps inspire the next generation of female aviators. "I help and try to volunteer to do activities and show them what I do," she says. Her efforts include organizing events like Girls in Aviation Day and supporting scholarship opportunities for aspiring pilots.

Rebecca's story is a testament to the possibility of learning new things at any stage of life and helping others in the process. "You can learn at any time, and you can start over at any time," she emphasized. 

Wherever she takes her career, one thing is clear: she will be flying high. 

Mentorship has also been a cornerstone of Chandler’s development, both at First Tee and at Southern Company. "Having mentors who believed in me made all the difference," he said. "Now, I strive to be that mentor for others in my team."

Chandler emphasizes the importance of community and networking, skills he honed through First Tee. "The First Tee’s goal is to use golf as a vehicle to teach children about life," he notes. "Even as a coach right now, I'm being developed by working to develop the kids."

Chandler continues to grow as a leader, learning from his mentors at Southern Company and developing his mentees, both at First Tee and within the company. Applying the discipline, focused learning and networking skills he’s learned both on and off the golf course, his future has no out of bounds.We've got a lot of places that make interesting conversation for veterans and non-veterans to sit down and have an icebreaker.”

This shared endeavor has forged a special bond between her and her daughter during the hours they spend practicing. "There is a very strong connection that she and I have because we're able to train together and spend a lot of time with one another," Doris adds.

Though her taekwondo journey started from a dark place, it quickly evolved into a transformative experience that has enriched her personal and professional life and has contributed to her personal growth. "The discipline required in taekwondo has made me more resilient and focused," she says.

The rigorous training and mental fortitude demanded by the sport have translated into her professional life, enhancing her ability to navigate challenges and maintain a clear, strategic vision. "It's taught me to stay calm under pressure and approach problems with a clear mind," Doris notes, highlighting the crossover benefits of her martial arts practice.

Doris’s growth in the sport has recently culminated in a third-place showing in her sparring events at the Global Traditional Martial Arts Global Championship. She was eligible to compete in this tournament through her top-10 ranking, and, despite a fractured finger, she demonstrated Superior Performance by finishing third in two events. 

In blending family, personal growth and wellness, Doris Yon’s taekwondo journey exemplifies how being open to trying something new can profoundly transform your life for the better.

Don’t be misled by the nickname— there is nothing typical about Lawrence’s ability. Currently, he is ranked #2 in the Professional Disc Golf Association’s (PDGA) “Global Masters Series” in his age group. 

“My goals are to reach 100 tournament wins through the PDGA,” he explains. As of this writing, he has achieved 99 PDGA tournament wins. Reaching this milestone has long been one of Lawrence’s goals, and he attributes being goal oriented as a contributing factor to his success.

“I'm one of those guys that if I do something, I kind of want to be the best I can be at it," he shares.

Lawrence’s journey in disc golf began as a pastime with friends. A devoted father, he encountered large gaps of free time with his two sons having gone to college and joined the workforce. To fill the time, he and a few coworkers went out to a local disc golf course one day after work.

“It’s nice to be outside and be with a group of people, but also to have a goal to work towards,” Lawrence recounts.

Sarah’s practice of fostering human connections continues to blossom at Southern Company. She has joined several employee resource groups (ERGs), including the Asian Pacific American ERG, where she has started to connect more with her Chinese heritage as well as those of other Asian-American peers.

Born in China, Sarah was adopted and raised by her two American parents. She credits her parents for being her shining light and for teaching her how to be present for others, often through modest but meaningful gestures.

"Life is all about the people and the relationships that you make," she emphasizes. "Just being able to walk through life together is really a beautiful thing."

Handmade cards are just one example of the impact a small gesture can have in making others feel seen and appreciated, which aligns with one of Southern Company's values of Intentional Inclusion. For the people in Sarah’s life, her cards represent the memories that they share together. 

“Each of us has different opportunities to meet, interact with people and to invite them into our lives and to be present in their lives and to be an encouragement and to be a light. Hopefully, making cards is just one avenue of that.”

The key to his success? "Consistency and discipline," Dennis shared.

He maintains a rigorous routine, getting up at 4:00 a.m. to work out before starting his day. He also sticks to a consistent diet by prepping every meal with nutritionally balanced ingredients, carrying a food container to work and wherever he travels.

Dennis acknowledges that his routine won’t work for everyone and recommends others to develop habits that they can commit to. He also encourages finding a support network of friends and experts who can keep you focused, and to celebrate even the smallest wins throughout your journey.

Dennis’s own commitment is matched by Southern Company's support, which he praised: "The company has done a phenomenal job with employees to encourage us to continue to be mobile and to be healthy." 

He specifically applauded the SouthernLifeStyle Rewards program, which incentivizes employees to track wellness and physical activities. He also commended the availability of gym equipment across the Southern Company system as an invaluable resource for employees.

Inspired by Dennis’s story? Visit SouthernLifeStyle Rewards to kickstart your own wellness journey today.

Meet Kadie Nowak

An Unbreakable Sprirt 

Kadie Nowak isn’t simply a leader in her role as team lead in Alabama Power’s Shoreline Management Operations. She is also the co-founder and president of The Unbreakable Fighters, Inc., a non-profit organization she created to help families of children with unique disabilities.

Her personal journey as a parent of a child with osteogenesis imperfecta (OI) was the inspiration behind The Unbreakable Fighters. Her son Harlan was born with OI, also known as brittle bone disease. While a difficult diagnosis for any family, Kadie has managed to navigate the unique challenges of OI, finding Harlan expert medical care and providing him with the best quality of life.

“It was an amazing pivotal moment meeting the doctors at Children’s of Alabama in Birmingham, who put Harlan on pamidronate, which we call bone juice and makes his bones stronger,” she recalled.

Harlan has since thrived. Now 10 years old, he leads an active, happy life that inspires his community.

“When he was born, the doctors told us he would never run or walk,” Kadie said. “Now, he runs everywhere he goes. He doesn’t see himself with limitations.” 

Kadie’s goal with The Unbreakable Fighters is to provide support and resources to other families with similar stories.

One of the key initiatives of The Unbreakable Fighters is the Dam 5K event. With the support of Alabama Power’s Hydro department, they have held multiple events across several dams, including Weiss Lake, Neely Henry and Logan Martin. The races have had as many as 260 participants competing, and through these and other fundraising efforts, Kadie has helped raise more than $17,000. 

“There’s been great support from within the company. Shoreline management and corporate real estate have come out and volunteered, and it’s a neat weekend to get out,” Kadie said in praise of her teammates.

While COVID-19 placed a brief pause on these events, Kadie plans to resume the Dam 5Ks soon. What hasn’t slowed down? Harlan’s unbreakable spirit and irresistible energy.

Tae's approach to fishing mirrors life itself—strategic and ever evolving. Upgrading from a shoreline angler to the captain of a 21-foot scout boat, he sees parallels with his work at Georgia Power. 

"What fishing teaches me is to be strategic with what bait I’m using, where to go, and the weather and the tide. In my daily tasks, I also must be very strategic with how I plan my day and how I approach my customers,” he explains.

Tae’s dedication to fishing intersects with his well-being, emphasizing the importance of hobbies for mental health and quality of life. He encourages others to discover an activity that brings them happiness.

Meet Halle Coleman

Weaving the way to success

In the intricate threads of both her crocheting and career journeys, Halle Coleman, a communications specialist at Mississippi Power, has woven a narrative of growth and determination.

Halle first learned crocheting years ago from her older cousin whom she looked up to. She enjoyed the activity but left it behind as she grew older.

It wasn’t until a trip to a craft store following her college graduation that she rekindled her interest in the craft.  The many rows of colorful yarn sparked a creative passion in Halle that has grown into an everyday endeavor.

She sees many parallels between her crocheting journey and her Southern Company career. Starting out as an intern, the pandemic created a significant gap between her recruitment and her internship. She was then eventually hired to the same team where she interned, relearning skills much like she re-discovered crocheting.

“I like the gratification I feel when I finish a product and I know that I was able to accomplish this. I have this thing in front of me, and it represents my hard work,” she said.

And just like her blossoming crochet skills, Halle is further advancing her career by pursuing a master’s degree in strategic communication.

For Halle, the creative freedom and relaxation that crocheting provides is its own reward, but the greatest reward is gifting her creations to friends and family. She also plans to regularly donate her projects to local homeless shelters in Mississippi.

Many years later, she credits this open-mindedness as the seed that grew into her artistic pursuits.

Today, a large motivating factor in her artwork is connecting with others, just as when she started painting with her children during the pandemic. She gives most of her paintings to friends and family to commemorate meaningful events.

“I hope that they’re inspired by what I paint, and I hope that it’s a lasting memory for them,” she said.

Recently, she created a poster and a series of gift cards that celebrated the lineworkers who were first responders to Hurricane Idalia.

Rose Ann describes painting as her “peaceful zone” and hopes to share that peace through her art. She is still developing her own style, but as she continues to find inspiration from everywhere, there’s no end in sight to her creative journey.

Meet Amanda Clower

As engineering analyst for Southern Power, Amanda Clower manages assets in the Wind Operations Group. But for her roller derby team, Amanda manages blocks.

As her Roller Derby alter ego, Bagel & Blox, she uses her athleticism to create space for her team and frustrate opponents.

Amanda has been drawn to the sport for years. She attended bouts (the term for roller derby matches) while in college at the University of Alabama and was instantly gripped by the athleticism and skill of the skaters, having herself been an athlete in a variety of sports for most of her life.

In 2022, Amanda finally joined a team: the Tragic City Rollers, a play on their hometown Birmingham, Alabama’s nickname, Magic City.

Outside of practice and monthly bouts, she is close with her team. They are competitive yet lighthearted, only calling each other by their derby names (Amanda goes by “Bagel” for short). One of her teammates, Melissa Byrd, is also a technician at Alabama Power. The two have formed a unique bond forged through their work environment and roller derby connection.

“Understanding people’s communication styles, both on the roller derby track as well as in the office with Southern Power, has been so important for me throughout my career,” Amanda said.

Beyond helping organizing, training for, and competing in bouts, Amanda’s involvement in roller derby also extends to the community. Her team has partnered with a local organization, the Magic City Acceptance Academy, a school that provides an inclusive environment of learning to students grades 6^th-12^th. The Tragic City Rollers help raise funds for the school and shine a light on its mission.

Meet Trae Caton

Trae Caton has taken Safety First and instilled it into his community. From his role as fleet specialist at Alabama Power Company to his dedication as a volunteer firefighter, he has committed his life to making his community a safer, better place.

Working for Southern Company is something of a family tradition for Trae: his father has worked as a utility fleet technician and as also a fleet specialist and his grandfather also worked at Alabama Power for many years.

"I get to live a dream that I think most boys grow up wanting to live, which is being able to go to work with your dad. And I've gotten to do that,” Trae said.

Like his father, Trae became a volunteer firefighter in his hometown of Clanton, Alabama, starting at the age of 16..

But Trae hasn’t stopped his community involvement there. He has used skills gained from his career and has put his energy into improving public safety. He started by repairing police vehicles.

“I was the kid who tore apart toys and tried to put them back together,” he said.

In addition, Trae is helping to modernize the radio technology used by local police and other first responders and is serving as interim director of Chilton County 911. The new public safety radio network, now being implemented countywide, replaces analogue radio technology that had been in use since the 1970s. It is already empowering first responders to seamlessly communicate both among each other and with other departments outside their jurisdiction.

“We’ve already seen the benefits of it from natural disasters here,” Trae said.

Trae also practices Safety First in his leadership role with the Clanton chapter of the Lions Club, an international organization whose mission is to strengthen communities and provide support to those in need.

He helps establish and implement emergency management and logistics for large events, such as the annual Chilton County Peach Festival. He also helps fundraise and doesn’t mind getting his hands dirty to help build things that improve the community, such as a garden for Butterfly Bridge Children’s Advocacy, creating a safe space for children recovering from abuse.

Growing up with parents actively involved in their community, Trae learned the power of giving back. Now a devoted husband and father, he's passing these values on to his own children, ensuring that community remains a central theme in their lives.

Meet Cole Billingsley

Late night television gave Cole Billingsley a window into the world of Major League Baseball. His natural talent and practice provided the rest.

Growing up in Alabama, Cole spent many nights staying up past his bedtime to watch the West Coast-based Los Angeles Dodgers. Those nights spent dreaming of being a major leaguer paved the way for his own baseball career.

A high school and University of South Alabama baseball standout, Cole was drafted by the Baltimore Orioles in the 2016 MLB draft. 

Cole was in spring training for four days when he was sent home along with every other athlete as much of the world shut down because of COVID-19. He was released from the team shortly after.

“Transitioning from baseball to ‘real life’ was a really tough time because sports were the only life I’d ever known. My life revolved around baseball. I was on a little bit of an identity search,” Cole said.

Translating his baseball skills to a wellness coordinator position in Operations Business & Shared Services at Southern Company made sense. His background in nutrition, functional movement and recovery from injury helped his transition, and he’s able to use the skills he gained during his sports career every day now in his role at Southern Company.

“I’m very happy where I’ve ended up, and I don’t think I’d be here without baseball,” Cole said. “Baseball opened doors for me that otherwise would have never been opened and I will always be grateful for that.”

Outside of his day job, he does find ways to stay close to the sport he loves. Cole coaches the Birmingham Stars, a travel baseball team for player ages 13 and under.

Meet Alexandria Wild

For the past 10 years, Alexandria Wild has served as a permitting engineer for Georgia Power’s Environment Affairs group. She is also the mother of Emerson (“Emmy’), who was diagnosed with a mutation of the KCNT1 gene. This is a rare disease that causes severe epilepsy and developmental delays.

For Emerson, this means she is unable to roll over or sit up, has limited movement of her limbs and can’t make eye contact. She also experiences 10 to 20 seizures a day.

On June 10, the KCNT1 Slack Epilepsy Foundation was invited to participate in the Million Dollar Bike Ride (MDBR), a bike event that fundraises research for a variety of diseases, and Alexandria participated. These donations are used to help fund clinical trials working to find effective treatment and a cure.

Joining the cause was Katherine Giometti, a TMC Supervisor for Georgia Power and Alexandria’s friend, who organized Team KCNT1 Atlanta for the 10-mile ride and fundraising campaign. The team has raised $8,122 and counting and donations for MDBR are being accepted through the end of June.

Alexandria graduated from Auburn University where she met her husband, Matt. Alongside their daughter Emerson, they have a rescue dog named Tilly. As a family, they enjoy camping, traveling and enjoying delicious food.

KCNT1 Slack Epilepsy Foundation: https://kcnt1epilepsy.org

Link to donate: https://givebutter.com/KCNT1AnnualFund23

Meet Amy Hall

Amy Hall, a charitable giving program manager at Georgia Power, has found a new passion outside of her work – rock climbing. Two years ago, her friends recommended the sport to her, and she hasn't looked back since. For Amy, rock climbing has been the perfect fit as it allows her to tackle new challenges and build a unique bond with her climbing partners based on trust and safety.

When asked about keeping Safety First with rock climbing, Amy was brutally honest. “One of the first things you are told when you go through orientation at the gym is that rock climbing is an inherently dangerous sport,” she warned. 

“There’s excitement, anticipation and some anxiety wondering if I’ll be able to figure out all the ‘problems and sequences on the wall,” she said. “The drive and determination kick-in as I climb higher while my hands and arms get tired. All of that can lead to a bit of tunnel vision where all the other worldly distractions of emails that need to be read and laundry that needs to be folded fade away and you’re forced to only focus on solving the puzzle in front of you.”

When asked what she would say to potential climbers, Amy said: “Anyone who may be interested in getting started with rock climbing should know that everyone starts exactly where you in the beginning – so don’t let that intimidate you. Also know that everyONE and everyBODY can climb – don’t let the stereotypes, assumptions and the athletes you see on advertisements fool you in to thinking you can’t do it, because I promise you can.”

Meet Lady Q

Let us introduce you to LaQuitcha Walker, aka Lady Q. She's not just a senior HR specialist for Southern Company Services, she's also a talented clean comedian who has performed at venues like the Laughing Skull and Kat's Café. I've had the pleasure of seeing her in action and let me tell you, she's hilarious!

LaQuitcha's love for making people laugh started at a young age. She quickly realized that she had a talent for it and loved bringing joy to others.

“Profanity is not a part of my character, and being raised in a Christian home, anything other than modest behavior was not tolerated,” LaQuitcha said. “My parents didn’t use profanity, so it’s just not a part of my vocabulary. Don’t get it twisted … I know how to cuss, but I just choose not to!”

Lady Q finds inspiration for her comedy in the everyday experiences of life. She's an observer of people and situations, and she sees potential material in even the simplest things. But her favorite source of material is women.

“We are very creative humans. There are things women do and/or say, that only other women would understand,” LaQuitcha said.

For anyone interested in pursuing a career in comedy, Lady Q's advice is simple: be yourself, relax and practice, practice, practice. Take classes, perform at open mics, and most importantly, have fun.

When she's not making people laugh, Lady Q is a devoted wife and mother. She attended Morris Brown College in the 90s and has two adult children, Jasmine and Derrick, as well as three bonus children, Corey, Courtney and Torey. She also has two grandbabies, Jayce and Kenzie.

Meet Beverly Ceasars

Beverly Ceasars is an engineer at Alabama Power but outside of work she may simply be known as singer-songwriter, The Bev.

Beverly discovered her love and talent for singing at the tender age of 8. Her roots and vocal training started at church. She joined musical ensembles in high school and went on to sing with the Auburn University Gospel Choir. During her time at Auburn, she joined the international music fraternity, Sigma Alpha Iota, which promotes interactions among those who share a commitment to music.

For those who would like to sing in front of groups big or small but struggle with stage fright, Beverly has a great piece of advice: “Do it scared!” Beverly believes the more someone puts themselves out there, the easier time they will have when it comes to addressing their fear.

“Nerves will always come about when you’re performing or executing something you’re passionate about,” Beverly said. “But don’t let nerves or fear stop you. Implement healthy vocal practices and take deep breaths. You got this.”

Beverly has worked for Southern Company Services for almost two years. Her stage name, “The Bev,” was inspired by her best friend from college who thought adding “The” before “Bev” would make it stand out more. Her favorite songs to sing are “Optimistic” by Sounds of Blackness and “Everybody Wants to Rule the World” by Tears for Fears (Lalah Hathaway’s cover). 

Meet Jeff Baker

Jeff Baker is a staff environmental affairs specialist for Alabama Power. His primary duties include performing threatened and endangered species surveys, as well as various aquatic surveys. His team also conducts wetland delineations, supports environmental compliance for various company departments concerning environmental issues and works cooperatively with conservation partners throughout the state.

However, his love for animals and conservation extends well beyond work hours. Jeff’s interest in conservation started when he was young.

“Bats that eat insects help control pests that can destroy crops. This saves farmers money on pesticides,” Jeff said. “Some bats are also important pollinators, pollinating many of the plants that humans and animals use for food. They also help fruit trees spread around the landscape. Without bat conservation, insect pest populations would increase; damaging our forests and timber and making it tougher for plants to do their job.“  

One of Jeff’s proudest moments was being named Biologist of the Year by the Alabama Chapter of the Wildlife Society earlier this year. The Wildlife Society is composed of experts in wildlife and conservation, including many colleagues, which made the award all the more meaningful to Jeff. But he attributes much of his success to the team he works alongside.

“We also have a lot of internal partners and it’s their professional attitude and commitment, the support of our management team, and working collaboratively with many of the external conservation partners in the state that help continue Alabama Power’s long history of environmental stewardship.”

Meet Allison Gregoire

Allison Gregoire is a media relations and social media coordinator at Nicor Gas and an aerial fitness instructor in training.

Allison, once an avid kick boxer in Atlanta, moved to Naperville, Illinois, for work and she set her sights on a new outlet for physical fitness.

“I turned 30 last year and was looking to challenge myself while also making friends in a new town where I truly knew no one,” said Allison. In her pursuit she came across AIR Fitness.

Aerial fitness uses a soft, usually silk, hammock to support and suspend the body and uses supported body weight and gravity to strengthen muscles, improve posture, and align joints.

Allison said the class came with a learning curve, but she didn’t shy away from the challenge.

“The first few classes were extremely challenging for me – there are so many small muscles that you are using during aerial that you aren’t traditionally working out,” Allison said. “I struggled to invert and do different moves in the air. It took me six months to get down one of the most common moves in aerial – funny enough, it’s called “the Georgia Twist.”

Not only did Allison master the Georgia Twist with time, now she’s ready to teach others. After 15 months of classes, she’s in the final stages of becoming an instructor. That is a testament of her dedication but also just how much anyone can join and learn. “I’ve had scoliosis since I was 12 years old and have never been able to do a split in my life! I was literally held back in ballet in second grade due to lack of grace and coordination.  My advice to new students is to not be scared to try something new.  Always challenge yourself but only go as far as you are comfortable that day.”

Meet Jacob McDonald

Jacob McDonald is a senior engineering analyst at Southern Power. He manages the operation and maintenance of solar facilities for the company including budget creation and management, contract negotiations and performance monitoring.

During his free time, Jacob has served as a volunteer firefighter and EMT with the Sumiton Fire and Rescue Service in Sumiton, Alabama for four years. It is an advanced life support (ALS) department which means there are paramedics on duty who can provide the highest level of emergency medical services possible outside of a hospital.

“My involvement with the department consists of responding to fires, wrecks and medical emergencies around the clock outside of my work hours with Southern Power,” he said.

Jacob’s interest in becoming a volunteer firefighter stemmed from his relatives and neighbors being members of these volunteer organizations.

“There was never a lightbulb moment that made me want to be a firefighter, but it was really something I always thought would be neat since I was a kid,” he said. “As I got older, I was exposed to the fire/EMS service through relatives and neighbors and thought I would give it a shot and I got hooked very shortly after doing so.”

Jacob also enjoys spending time with his wife, Lacey, and two children, Jaxon and Josie golfing, hunting and bass fishing.

Meet Yvonne Murray

Yvonne Murray is a part of the Southern Power team as a state and local affairs policy manager. Outside of work you will probably find her … outside. She enjoys hiking, camping and fishing.

“As a kid I always loved outdoor sports and the beach, but I think I really found my love for it as an adult,” Yvonne said. “I have made so many memories around a campfire in the middle of the woods.”

When she’s not hiking or camping, she’s enjoying more daring hobbies like tinkering with Jeeps to go off-roading and rock climbing. Yvonne’s interest in cars can be traced back to her childhood.

“I was fortunate to grow up with a dad who loved cars. I can remember just hanging out in the garage with him as a kid and enjoying watching him work,” Yvonne said. “When I was in college, I worked selling parts – wheels, tires, motor builds, turbos, exhausts. It was through those hobbies that I met my husband. He used to build motors for one of our competitor shops. Over the years, Jeeps were always something we went back to.”

When asked about advice she would impart to newbies and those interested off-roading, she said to start slow, have the right equipment and keep safety first. 

“I would recommend a vehicle that comes equipped with 4WD and push-button lockers. There are plenty of off-road parks that you can get a feel for beginner and intermediate level rides,” Yvonne said. “Some of the off-road clubs offer beginner rides and classes.”

Regarding rock climbing, Yvonne said keep Safety First in all you do. Listening to those more experienced than you is also important.