Meet Krista Presnall
Krista Presnall started her career with Alabama Power in April 2008 and has worked her way from auxiliary at Barry Steam Plant to plant control operator for Central Alabama. She started her current role in December 2019 and has been welcomed with open arms as the only female operator on her team.
Krista enjoys spending time with her family and four rescue dogs, giving back to her community and watching Alabama Football. She and her wife, Nancy, enjoy helping their community through the AIDS Alabama South Foundation at Christmas by getting a list of children’s wants and surprising them with gifts. They both started the tradition many years ago, making sure kids affected by HIV/AIDS have a memorable Christmas. Krista and Nancy also spend their time volunteering at Door to Serenity, a sober living home for those trying to escape addiction.
“Pride not only stands for celebrating my true authentic self but also having an impact in making a better place of employment for LGBTQ+ people in the future. I think we are heading in the right direction, but we still have a long way to go in educating more people,” Krista said.
Krista is devoted to making the work place an environment where LGBTQ+ employees can be out and proud. Krista is proud to have been a part of DE&I discussions at Plant Barry.
“These initiatives, in my view, show employees of diverse backgrounds and affiliations that Alabama Power makes them visible. The tools and resources are there for management and leaders to use when faced with uncomfortable conversations about things they are not familiar with. I strongly believe that an employee who can be their authentic self at home and work is happier and more productive.”
Krista Presnall
In our Move to Equity, Southern Company is engaging all employees through open dialogues, training and education. We have created annual DE&I training options for leaders and employees. Southern Company has also implemented inclusive leadership training, including unconscious bias training, for all new supervisors. 100% of operating companies have comprehensive DE&I learning programs.
Meet Justin Averette
Justin Averette, internal/executive communications manager at Southern Company, believes Pride month is a time to be your authentic self and fight for those who cannot do the same.
Justin was born and raised in Alabama and now lives in Atlanta with his husband. In addition to his role in corporate communications, Justin is the 2022 president of PRIDE Power employee resource group. Before his current role, Justin worked 12 years as a newspaper reporter and editor and in Alabama Power public relations from 2018-2020.
“When I started with Alabama Power, I committed to being completely out as a gay man at work after being closeted at previous jobs for various reasons, both personal and professional. I have been fortunate to feel accepted and able to be my full authentic self at work every day, a benefit I know many in the LGBTQ+ community do not enjoy,” Justin said.
He is married to Jason, a pediatric hematologist/oncologist for Children’s Healthcare of Atlanta. They married on June 12, 2021, also known as National Loving Day.
A lot of people may not know what Loving Day is, but it holds special meaning for us. It is the day when the U.S. Supreme court struck down nationwide bans on interracial marriage. The case, Loving v. Virginia, set precedent for Obergefell v. Hodges, which guaranteed same-sex couples the right to marry in 2015. We chose Loving Day to celebrate our love and the couples who came before us, especially interracial and same-sex ones, who paved the way in determination, sacrifice, risk and love."
Justin Averette
In addition to leading PRIDE Power, Justin is a strong advocate of LGBTQ+ issues, serving on the Atlanta Pride board of directors, which organizes the annual Atlanta Pride Festival and Parade in October. Justin also serves on vestry at All Saints Episcopal Church in Midtown and plays and volunteers in the Hotlanta Softball League, one of the oldest LGBTQ+ softball leagues in the country.
“PRIDE Power helps build a sense of place and community for LGBTQ+ employees across the state. We have had people join us virtually for events who do not know another LGBTQ+ person on their team. I want to make sure our employee resource group is reaching everyone and empowering our LGBTQ+ employees,” Justin said.
In our Move to Equity, Southern company has increased engagement and expansion of employee-led groups and networks across our system. ERGs and other small groups provide our employees with a supportive environment where they can voice concerns, present solutions and participate in activities that will increase inclusion and respect. It is also a way to promote allyship.
Meet Letrisha Taylor
Letrisha Taylor, operations team leader at Plant Mclntosh near Rincon, Georgia, is devoted to helping those in her community who do not enjoy the same support she does.
This National Pride Month, Letrisha is raising funds by taking on the 51 Mile Pride Ride Challenge for The Trevor Project, a nonprofit organization determined to end suicide among LGBTQ youth. She plans on doing a combination of walking, running and rowing throughout June to complete the 51 miles.
In addition, she volunteers with the First City Pride Center in Savannah. In August, she plans to play in a softball tournament called Lesbian Community Project (LCP) in her home state of Oregon. The tournament raises money for Camp Victory, which helps kids who have experienced sexual abuse.
“For me, Pride is a time for celebration and embracing one’s true self. It is about celebrating our diversity as a community and lending support to those in our community who might not have the same privilege and voice,” said Letrisha. “Pride is a time to celebrate and reflect on our shared history.”
"The Trevor Project fundraiser is a great opportunity for me to spread the word on what the organization stands for. It is an opportunity to raise funds to help prevent suicide and provide crisis support in our youth community."
Letrisha
Growing up in Oregon, Letrisha has a great love for the outdoors. She enjoys hiking to waterfalls, playing kickball and traveling.
Letrisha currently lives in Savannah, where she likes to attend film festivals and art shows offered by SCAD. She started her career with Southern Power as an operations technician in 2008 and in June 2021 started in her current role with Georgia Power.
Southern Company system employees are inextricably woven into the communities we are privileged to serve. Employees and retirees across our subsidiaries dedicate approximately 200,000 hours of volunteer service annually to support our communities.
Meet Carlos Bravo
Carlos Bravo believes Pride month is a celebration of inclusivity and freedom of expression.
Carlos is a process analytics manager at Southern Company Gas and is originally from Venezuela. He moved to the United States at the age of 25.
Carlos started his career with Southern Company Gas in 2005 as a bilingual customer service representative and has held other positions within the company such as quality assurance specialist and business analyst before his current role. At Gas, Carlos is an active member of Spectrum, a LGBTQ+ Employee Resource Group (ERG), where he previously served as vice-chair.
Carlos said his intersectionality as a gay Latino immigrant, has led to both positive and negative social, personal and professional experiences.
“On one side, I can be the voice for multiple communities and speak for their causes to promote transformative change. On the other hand, I can face various intersecting forms of structural discrimination. However, I embrace my intersectionality and try to remain focused on the great opportunities derived from it,” Carlos said.
"For me, Pride means being proud of who you are. It is about not worrying what others think of you. I feel proud to work at Southern company Gas, where diversity, equity, and inclusion is one of our most significant values and where I can be my authentic self when I come to work every day."
Carlos
Outside of work, he enjoys dining with friends and family, being outdoors and traveling. He lives in Atlanta with his partner, Leo, near the Atlanta BeltLine, where he enjoys running, biking and walking his dog, Joy.
At Southern Company, we are looking to improve relations between all members of the communities where we live and work. One way we are doing that is by creating a workplace where all employees are valued, respected and heard. In our Move to Equity, we have increased our efforts to recruit and develop diverse talent. In 2021, underrepresented groups made up 58% of new hires.
This year, Southern Company has earned a 100% rating on the Human Rights Campaign (HRC) Foundation’s 2022 Corporate Equality Index. This is the sixth consecutive year we have been named one of the best places to work for LGBTQ+ equality by the HRC.