POWERGRAMS

Thumbs Up! Following a storm, an Arlington customer expected power to be out "a week or two" because of the severe damages and remote location, where bucket trucks were prevented from entering because of a washed-out road. John Creswell was pleasantly surprised when Thomasville Lineman Glen Elmore, Lineman Jared Jones and Apprentice Lineman Marcus Slaton were able to pull cable by hand, climb a pole and restore power about an hour later. "We discuss how large companies are like the state and federal government in that many employees (certainly not all) do only what they have to do and only when it has to be done," Creswell wrote. "I'd like to commend your employees and APCO and say THANKS for a job well-done, completed quickly by professionals with positive attitudes. They seemed to care about customers as if they were repairing service for a family member." Director of Major Accounts Earl Cooper has been reappointed to a five-year term on the Hoover school board. His first term on the school board expires at the end of May, but Hoover City Council members asked if Cooper would be willing to continue to serve. "We need to keep someone with Earl's experience," said Hoover Councilman Gene Smith. Cooper, president of the board, was previously on the board of directors for the Hoover City Schools Foundation and a member of the Community Planning Team that studied rezoning of the school district in 2004 and 2005. Powergrams is published biweekly by Alabama Power for its employees, retirees and friends. Please report address changes by calling the editor. Pelham Customer Service Representative Jesse Rodriguez was applauded for aiding two disabled women who came to the office after hours. Assistant Business Manager Terry Tucker said Rodriguez assisted them inside, helped them fill out life-support documents, processed a payment and then helped them back to their car. Melissa Holmes, Metro South Office, received an email from a customer whose bill was lost when he moved outside Alabama Power service territory. In his note, Aaron Butcher thanked Holmes for sending him a reminder about his bill. "Alabama Power is one of the few utility companies that still has great customer service," Butcher wrote. A Guin customer called to praise the Fayette crew that replaced the power pole on her property, saying the employees were "very nice and polite" and she appreciated their "hard work." The crew included Corey Kizzire, Shane McBrayer and Chris Papania. IN MEMORIAM Willie F. Bradley, 84, retiree, Columbiana, March 6. James D. Gorham, 77, retiree, Eastern Division Office, Feb. 22. Jewel M. Brasher, 78, retiree, Shelby District, Dec. 19, 2012. Leonard L. Miliner, 81, retiree, Martin Dam, March 2. Sarah F. Funderburk, 86, retiree, Alexander City, Jan. 10. TARGET ZERO HER ES Send us your photo holding Powergrams in an exotic locale. Substation Construction Crew 32 passed five years without a recordable injury. The crew includes, front row, from left, Edward Aldridge, Josh Scott, Joey Holmes, Brantley Bice, Chris Parnell and Dustin Simpson. In back are Adam Gregory, Kyle Blankenship, Jason Dickson, Travis Hardee and Chris Prickles. Not pictured is Jim Cornelius. Gardendale Materialman John Rock and his wife, Karen, took a 25th wedding anniversary cruise to Jamaica, the Cayman Islands and Cozumel. They read Powergrams in George Town, Grand Cayman. 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

• Cover