powerlines · 2019. 6. 6. · keisha williams science teacher lee high school montgomery, alabama...

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June 2019 | Volume 32 • Number 6 | www.powersouth.com | [email protected] Defenders of the grid Powerlines Cybersecurity weighs heavily on almost everyone’s mind in the information technology field. Utilities, in particular, are standing guard against cyberthreats and malicious attacks that could affect the health of the power grid and its critical infrastructure, as well as company information. That’s where the North American Electric Reliability Corporation (NERC) comes in. NERC requires PowerSouth to be compliant with 80 Standards for Electric Reliability, according to PowerSouth’s registrations with NERC. PowerSouth is located in the Southeastern Electric Reliability Council’s (SERC) region. As a registered entity in the SERC region, PowerSouth is audited by SERC, on behalf of NERC, every three years. SERC audits all registered entities to ensure compliance with NERC Standards and to help them reduce the risk of physical and cyberthreats to the bulk electric system. It all works together to keep electricity flowing to the people who depend on it to power their lives. Earlier this year, SERC conducted an audit of PowerSouth’s compliance with the NERC Reliability Standards. The audit process began months before auditors actually showed up on-site. An audit notification letter arrived in October, requesting data for off-site review. PowerSouth’s subject matter experts worked to pull extensive information detailing the cooperative’s compliance for the past three years in the areas of Critical Infrastructure Protection (CIP) and Operations and Planning (O&P). The on-site portion of the SERC audit conducted in February resulted in compliments about PowerSouth’s culture of compliance. The audit process is still underway and may not be finalized until early fall. On the CIP side of compliance, about 15 PowerSouth employees work to guard and protect communications, network security and, of course, the critical infrastructure of the bulk electric system. “They test all equipment before putting it on the system to ensure nothing in the critical infrastructure is affected,” explained EMS (Energy Management Systems) Supervisor Brian Fleming. “Personnel also isolate critical assets of the bulk electric system from email and Internet access, continually scanning the system for cyber vulnerabilities.” On the O&P side of compliance, employees in PowerSouth’s Energy Control Center monitor real-time, 24-hour operation of the electric grid. Energy Services Manager Tim Hattaway shared one way PowerSouth goes above and beyond in its vigilance: “One requirement states that, at a minimum, the cooperative must participate in a power restoration drill scenario at least twice yearly. For better preparedness, the cooperative conducts these drills four to five times each year.” continued on next page ... (Above): Among those defending PowerSouth and its member systems from cyberthreats and malicious attacks are (left to right): James Hogg, T&D Technical Services; Tim Hattaway, Energy Services; Tracy Simpler, Information Services; Jim Kelley, Planning, Regulatory & Compliance; and Brian Fleming, Information Services.

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Page 1: Powerlines · 2019. 6. 6. · Keisha Williams Science Teacher Lee High School Montgomery, Alabama school district Teachers experienced many teachable moments while immersed in classroom

June 2019 | Volume 32 • Number 6 | www.powersouth.com | [email protected]

Defenders of the grid

PowerlinesCybersecurity weighs heavily on almost everyone’s mind in the information technology field. Utilities, in particular, are standing guard against cyberthreats and malicious attacks that could affect the health of the power grid and its critical infrastructure, as well as company information.

That’s where the North American Electric Reliability Corporation (NERC) comes in. NERC requires PowerSouth to be compliant with 80 Standards for Electric Reliability, according to PowerSouth’s registrations with NERC.

PowerSouth is located in the Southeastern Electric Reliability Council’s (SERC) region. As a registered entity in the SERC region, PowerSouth is audited by SERC, on behalf of NERC, every three years. SERC audits all registered entities to ensure compliance with NERC Standards and to help them reduce the risk of physical and cyberthreats to the bulk electric system.

It all works together to keep electricity flowing to the people who depend on it to power their lives.

Earlier this year, SERC conducted an audit of PowerSouth’s compliance with the NERC Reliability Standards. The audit process began months before auditors actually showed up on-site. An audit notification letter arrived in October, requesting data for off-site review.

PowerSouth’s subject matter experts worked to pull extensive information detailing the cooperative’s compliance for the past three years in the areas of Critical Infrastructure Protection (CIP) and Operations and Planning (O&P). The on-site portion of the SERC audit conducted in February resulted in compliments about PowerSouth’s culture of compliance. The audit process is still underway and may not be finalized until early fall.

On the CIP side of compliance, about 15 PowerSouth employees work to guard and protect communications, network security and, of course, the critical infrastructure of the bulk electric system.

“They test all equipment before putting it on the system to ensure nothing in the critical infrastructure is affected,” explained EMS

(Energy Management Systems) Supervisor Brian Fleming. “Personnel also isolate critical assets of the bulk electric system from email and Internet access, continually scanning the system for cyber vulnerabilities.”

On the O&P side of compliance, employees in PowerSouth’s Energy Control Center monitor real-time, 24-hour operation of the electric grid.

Energy Services Manager Tim Hattaway shared one way PowerSouth goes above and beyond in its vigilance: “One requirement states that, at a minimum, the cooperative must participate in a power restoration drill scenario at least twice yearly. For better preparedness, the cooperative conducts these drills four to five times each year.”

continued on next page ...

(Above): Among those defending PowerSouth and its member systems from cyberthreats and malicious attacks are (left to right): James Hogg, T&D Technical Services; Tim Hattaway, Energy Services; Tracy Simpler, Information Services; Jim Kelley, Planning, Regulatory & Compliance; and Brian Fleming, Information Services.

Page 2: Powerlines · 2019. 6. 6. · Keisha Williams Science Teacher Lee High School Montgomery, Alabama school district Teachers experienced many teachable moments while immersed in classroom

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The cooperative’s Generation, Protection and Transmission Planning areas also underwent review during the audit process. PowerSouth avoided some of the most commonly violated standards, thanks to ongoing preparation and coordination.

“The purpose of the NERC Reliability Standards is to provide guidelines for the electric utility industry to best protect the bulk electric system from vegetation outages, physical attack, cyberattack and a myriad of other risks identified by the industry,” explained Ginny Grimes, Compliance Audit Supervisor. “PowerSouth employees don’t just work to be compliant for an audit, they work every day to ensure that PowerSouth’s systems are functioning properly and are protected from physical and cyber intrusion.”

She continued, “The goal is to protect the bulk electric system, and, because employees are constantly working to that end, PowerSouth has a good compliance record with the NERC Reliability Standards.”

*SERC operates under the North American Electric Reliability Corporation (NERC), overseen by the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission (FERC).

2

Wanda Woods named AOPA Office Professional of the Year for third time!

Support Services Coordinator Wanda Woods always brings her best to whatever she does. “Everything I do, I do for the Lord,” she said. “I think that you need to go to work every day and give your best.”

According to Communications Manager Baynard Ward, “Wanda leads by example. Her passion, strong work ethic and positive attitude carries over to that of her employees and sets a great example for our department and cooperative.”

Those traits have earned Woods great respect among her peers at the cooperative and in the community. For the third time in her career, Woods has been named the Andalusia Office Professionals Association’s (AOPA) Office Professional of the Year. Three different people have nominated Woods over a 20-year period: Ward for the 2019 award, and former Communications Managers Mark Ingram and Phillip Burgess for 2010, and 1999, respectively.

Woods believes in doing her best in every area of her life. After joining PowerSouth 29 years ago as an entry level clerk, she worked her way up to her current supervisory position in the communications department. Impressively, she earned a Bachelor of Business Administration degree from Faulkner University and raised three children in the process.

Woods shared the importance and challenges of pursuing her degree.“ Completing my degree was something I always wanted to do. When I went back to school in 2001, the hardest part was balancing motherhood, working full-time and being a good wife.” By that time, Woods and her husband, Kennedy, already had three children, and the youngest was only a year old.

Not one to be deterred, Woods pushed through successfully to her goals.

Woods sees an important part of her job as representing PowerSouth in the best way possible. “Everything that we do is seen all over the cooperative. If we make a mistake, the whole company can look bad,” she said. Her responsibilities include corporate event and meeting planning, as well as catering for training and events. She also coordinates the Youth Tour program and supervises the switchboard and internal mail room.

An AOPA member since 1991, Woods has served in the roles of president, treasurer, secretary and director for the organization. She’s also an active member of the Alabama Council of Association Executives, Alabama Business and Professional Women’s Club, Andalusia United Fund Board, Andalusia Chamber of Commerce Board of Directors and Meeting Professionals International. Woods puts her heart into helping others by volunteering with Andalusia Community Christmas, Meredith’s Miracles, and the American Cancer Society’s Relay for Life. g

Becki FranklinKate M. Smith Elementary School

Chipley, Florida

Wanda WoodsSupport Services Coordinator

continued from previous page

About 50 PowerSouth employees were involved in audit preparation, coordination and the on-site audit.

2019 SERC Audit Stats

The SERC Audit included

28 NERC Standards and

96 Requirements in

175 cyber assets were evaluated during the audit.

the 2019 SERC Audit Scope.

Page 3: Powerlines · 2019. 6. 6. · Keisha Williams Science Teacher Lee High School Montgomery, Alabama school district Teachers experienced many teachable moments while immersed in classroom

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Bringing new energy to area classroomsLast summer’s Empower Energy Education Workshop sparked something new in teacher Becki Franklin of Kate M. Smith Elementary School in Chipley, Florida.

Empower sparked her interest.

Franklin, who has now toured a nuclear plant, a biomass plant, a hydroelectric plant and hopes to visit a coal-burning plant, said, “I’m fascinated by the energy grid now and hope to attend the workshop again.”

Tracy Wright, STEM (Science Technology Engineering and Mathematics) director for the Elmore County, Alabama, school district, highly recommends the workshop to fellow educators. “Empower was the single best workshop I have ever attended,” he stated. “It helped me understand electricity and become aware of how to use our power in the right way.”

Thanks to Empower, sponsored by PowerSouth’s distribution members, excitement

is energizing K-12 classrooms throughout the cooperative’s service area. The process continues this month as more than 260 educators will gather in Destin, Florida, for Empower’s third annual workshop.

Empower attendees always gain a well- rounded knowledge of power generation and distribution, from fossil fuels to renewables. The curriculum and tools provided help teachers bring a balanced energy education approach

“Empower is the link that helps teachers share the ‘why.’ ”

Becki FranklinKate M. Smith Elementary School

Chipley, Florida

continued on next page ...

Page 4: Powerlines · 2019. 6. 6. · Keisha Williams Science Teacher Lee High School Montgomery, Alabama school district Teachers experienced many teachable moments while immersed in classroom

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to students who will be future leaders and decision-makers.

Educators know that teachable moments in the classroom often come from taking the time to explain the “why” behind answers to students’ questions. Before the workshop, Franklin knew very little about energy and even less about electricity. Because these subjects were huge benchmarks for students in her fifth grade science lab, she jumped at the opportunity to attend Empower.

Franklin explained, “It’s important to have a basic knowledge of our power grid and how it works. We don’t realize how critically we rely on an infrastructure system to produce and deliver electricity. All educators teach about conservation and renewables in their own way. Empower is the link that helps teachers share the ‘why.’”

“Empower was the single best workshop I have ever attended,”

Tracy WrightSTEM (Science Technology Engineering and

Mathematics) director Elmore County, Alabama

school district

continued from previous page

Page 5: Powerlines · 2019. 6. 6. · Keisha Williams Science Teacher Lee High School Montgomery, Alabama school district Teachers experienced many teachable moments while immersed in classroom

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“I received an energy kit that came with different stations that I can set up with my students, so they can work in small groups,”

Keisha WilliamsScience TeacherLee High SchoolMontgomery, Alabama school district

Teachers experienced many teachable moments while immersed in classroom

sessions and hands-on activities in a relaxed atmosphere during the three-day workshop. At

the conclusion of the workshop, attendees receive free Science of Energy kits that contain classroom materials that align with national and state educational standards.

“I received an energy kit that came with different stations that I can set up with my students, so they can work in small groups,” noted Keisha Williams, a science teacher at Lee High School in Montgomery, Alabama. “We also have access to the

website for additional free materials,” she added. “Teachers love that!”

Williams has been sharing what she learned with other science teachers in her school. “I’ve been able to design and shape lessons for a variety of classes,” she said.

Elmore County’s STEM director, Wright, has a reputation for including as many technological and science-driven processes as possible to promote STEM. He said he’s been sharing Empower information with educators from other districts.

“Recently, I gave a presentation at the Alabama Computer Science Summit,” he said. “We’re talking about how to build on the program throughout the state.” g

Page 6: Powerlines · 2019. 6. 6. · Keisha Williams Science Teacher Lee High School Montgomery, Alabama school district Teachers experienced many teachable moments while immersed in classroom

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1. Tom AndersonSon of Stevie Anderson (McIntosh)Associate degree in Environmental ScienceCoastal Alabama Community College

2. Kayci DonaldWork Study at McIntoshAssociate degree in Applied ScienceCoastal Alabama Community College

3. Callie Elizabeth ArmstrongDaughter of Joe Armstrong (Engineering)Luverne High School

4. Brandon AverillSon of Tommy Averill (Safety Services)Master’s degree in Justice AdministrationFaulkner University

5. Dylan BennettSon of Tracey Bennett (T&D Engineering & Construction)Red Level High School

6. Presley BrackeDaughter of Brent Bracke (Central Generation)Opp High School

7. Rachael BrayDaughter of Carol Bray (Bulk Power Services)Bachelor’s degree in Elementary EducationTroy University

8. William Taylor DavisStepson of Josh Sightler (Computer Information Services)Andalusia High School

9. Seth Jackson DonaldsonSon of David Donaldson (Energy Services)Opp High School

10. Bryan DunnSon of Waylon Dunn (Central Generation)Bachelor’s degree in PsychologySpring Hill College

11. Ethan EdsonStepson of Alex Mount (Finance & Accounting)Red Level High School

12. Emily Claire GermanDaughter of Heather German (Safety Services)Andalusia High School

13. Ellie GuilfordDaughter of James Guilford (Energy Services)Straughn High School

14. James Austin HawkinsSon of Jamie Hawkins (T&D Technical Services)Pleasant Home School

15. Ashley Taylor HaymonsDaughter of Kelly King (T&D Operations)Pleasant Home School

16. Ensley HilburnDaughter of Josh Hilburn (Transmission O&M)Higher Ground Academy

17. Charles Whitman JacksonSon of Jody Jackson (Energy Services)Andalusia High School

18. Parker B. KelleySon of Jim Kelley (Planning, Regulatory & Compliance)Andalusia High School

19. Noah Kincaid KellySon of Angela Kelly (Legal Affairs)Andalusia High School

20. Kelley Averill LynnDaughter of Tommy Averill (Safety Services)Associate degreeLBW Community College

21. Colin MarcumSon of Debbie Marcum (Member Services)Andalusia High School

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Page 7: Powerlines · 2019. 6. 6. · Keisha Williams Science Teacher Lee High School Montgomery, Alabama school district Teachers experienced many teachable moments while immersed in classroom

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22. Tobie MiddletonDaughter of Tresa Middleton (Lowman)Master’s degree in Early Childhood/Elementary EducationAuburn University

23. Ryan MitchellSon of Michael Mitchell (Telecom Services)Straughn High School

24. Ben NelsonSon of Tracey Nelson(Member Services & Communications)Bachelor’s degree in Biomedical SciencesAuburn University

25. Javen RennerSon of Jason Renner (McIntosh)Associate degreeCoastal Alabama Community College

26. Ethan RileySon of DeLana Henagan (T&D Operations)Andalusia High School

27. Alexia SightlerDaughter of Josh Sightler (Computer Information Services)Andalusia High School

28. Lindsey StephensDaughter of Keith Stephens (Environmental Services)Andalusia High School

29. Breanna Leigh ThomasDaughter of Kim Thomas (Safety Services)Straughn High School

30. Coleman ThompsonSon of Casey Thompson (T&DEngineering & Construction)Andalusia High School

31. Mollie Clayton WadeDaughter of James Wade (Lowman)Bachelor’s degreeUniversity of West Alabama

32. Jake WalkerSon of Suzanne Harrell (Communications)Pleasant Home School

33. Alexa Brooke WilsonDaughter of Craig Wilson (Central Generation)Bachelor’s degree in Collaborative EducationTroy University

34. Allyson Jade YoungeDaughter of Kent Younge (Lowman)Washington High School

35. Kaleigh Michelle YoungeDaughter of Kent Younge (Lowman)Bachelor’s degree in Environmental ScienceUniversity of Alabama

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Have your apps asked for permission to access your device’s camera, photos, microphone, contacts or other features? Are apps you rarely use draining your battery life?

Your mobile device could be filled with suspicious apps running in the background or using default permissions you never realized you approved. Apps may be gathering your personal information without your knowledge,

while also putting your identity and privacy at risk.

Don’t give your apps an all-access pass:

• Check your app permissions and just say “no” to privilege requests that don’t make sense.

• Delete apps you don’t need or no longer use.

• Only download apps from trusted sources.

App Security: Keep tabs on your apps

Source: DHS.gov

Enable automatic app updates in your device settings or when they pop up. Having the most up-to-date software makes things run smoother and helps protect your device against cyberthreats.

28 29 30

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Page 8: Powerlines · 2019. 6. 6. · Keisha Williams Science Teacher Lee High School Montgomery, Alabama school district Teachers experienced many teachable moments while immersed in classroom

Chipley by Sean Dietrich

Paying tribute to fallen members of the cooperative

family is like writing a love letter to your sweetheart who

is far away. It should have the right tone, the right words

and touch on all the right things.

There’s no one better at that than local writer Sean

Dietrich. He is a columnist, novelist, and podcast/radio

show host, known for his commentary on life in the

American South. His work has appeared in Southern

Living, The Tallahassee Democrat, Good Grit, South

Magazine, Alabama Living, the Birmingham News,

Thom Magazine and The Mobile Press Register. He has

authored seven books, and is the creator of the Sean of

the South blog and radio show.

In the following, Sean tells the story of three good

linemen who were tragically taken away much too soon.

Just outside Chipley, Florida, three wooden crosses stand beside the highway at the intersection of Highway 77 and Talton Drive. I pulled over to look at them.

Neon-colored vests hang from a pinewood crossarm, which resembles an electrical utility pole.

Beneath the crosses are hardhats, American flags, and handwritten notes. The roadside monument was built to honor three line workers killed in a hit-and-run accident in Washington County.

You might’ve read about it. It happened months ago when a vehicle left the road and struck workers who were restoring power to an area affected by Hurricane Michael.

I am interrupted by the sound of tires on gravel.

A truck pulls beside me. The driver kills his engine and rolls his window down. I see a man with tanned cheeks and lines on his face.

He doesn’t introduce himself, he only says:

“Them lineman were working seventeen-hour days. They came from all over the nation after the storm, worked like dogs. They were good, good men.”

Good men.

Line workers like these men invade disaster zones like armies. They work from dawn to dusk. They survive on light sleep, caffeine, and text messages from their children.

“I’ll tell ya,” the man says, “losing one of our own was harder on folks in Chipley than the storm was.”

Chipley is a town with a main street so short you could roll a bowling ball through it without much effort. The community is so tight it holds water.

When I was sixteen, I once dated a girl who lived in Chipley, she pronounced it “CHEE-yip-lee.” She was from a family who still shelled peas on the porch before supper.

After the hurricane, utility workers came by the hundreds, they blanketed Northwest Florida. In this part of the world, you couldn’t drive10 feet without seeing cherry-pickers beside utility poles, and men working 40 feet above the earth.

My new friend pinches the bridge of his nose. His eyes turn red.

I ask if he knew the victims.

“Knew one of’em,” he says. “Was my best friend’s daddy, Bo. He was a good, good man.”

Bo Ussery was your quintessential lineman. Tough and dedicated. He was 60 years old, and preparing for retirement.

“He was one in a million,” the man goes on. “I never knew him to smoke, drink, or dip. Like I said, a good, good man.”

When the hurricane came through the area, Bo’s property sustained some damage, just like other places in the county. Still, Bo paid little attention to his own damage. Instead, he left home to do his duty.

Also killed in the accident was George Cesil. He was a 51-year-old foreman from North Carolina, who liked fishing, dogs, and cowboy hats. He was supposed to leave on Saturday to go home and see his family.

The other victim, Ryan Barrett, was 22 years old, baby-faced, and energetic—also from North Carolina. Ryan’s family said he was excited to help people in the Florida Panhandleregain power.

Excited.

“The funeral was incredible,” my friend in the truck says. “Like nothing you never seen before.”

Line workers flooded the town by the multitudes. They swarmed around Chipley like the heavenly host, wearing hardhats.

CEO COLUMN

Bo Ussery West Florida Electric Cooperative

George CesilLee Electrical

8

Page 9: Powerlines · 2019. 6. 6. · Keisha Williams Science Teacher Lee High School Montgomery, Alabama school district Teachers experienced many teachable moments while immersed in classroom

CEO COLUMN

“When we left the church, man, all you saw was them bucket trucks, parked on every street, baskets raised up in the air, guys standing by their bumpers, wearing uniforms.”

It was a send off that will go down in town history. The day a million and one trucks

extended their hydraulic arms, some with American flags flying high, in honor ofthe fallen.

And the only evidence remaining of that momentous occasion are these wooden crosses.

Our conversation ends. My new friend has to get back to work. Friday is still young, it’s a few hours until quitting time.

We shake hands. He wipes his face. He starts his truck.

“I really appreciate folks like you,” he says. “I appreciate everybody who stops by these crosses to remember these good, good men.”

After he leaves, I am left standing beside a lonesome monument,

built for three humble Americans who embodied everything I love about my people.

I never knew these men, but I know what they stood for, and so do you.

The hands beneath their leather gloves belonged to their hearts. And their hearts belonged to their children, their wives, and their homes.

They represent the kind I come from, whose collars are blue. They were everything magnificent about our society. In fact, they were the ones who built it. One utility pole at a time.

The pine crosses aren’t here to remind people of the accident on Highway 77. They are here because the world deserves to know about Bo, George, and Ryan. They were more thanline workers.

They were good, good men. g

Photo credit: Candace Croft, West Florida Electric Cooperative

Ryan BarrettLee Electrical

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Page 10: Powerlines · 2019. 6. 6. · Keisha Williams Science Teacher Lee High School Montgomery, Alabama school district Teachers experienced many teachable moments while immersed in classroom

SERVICE ANNIVERSARIES

10

Jim KelleyPlanning, Reg. & Compliance

30 years, June 19

Lisa WilliamsonHR Services

29 years, June 25

Julie O’ConnorComp. Info. Services

30 years, June 19

Beth WoodardF&A Services Div.28 years, June 3

Randy GrimesPower Production27 years, June 29

Bryan PansingLowman

27 years, June 1

Veronica WallaceT&D Eng. and Const.

26 years, June 16

Keith CastleberryTelecom Services25 years, June 28

Norma KingComp. Info. Services

39 years, June 16

Robby HuntLowman

40 years, June 4

Bennie VickLowman

42 years, June 20

Jay FarringtonPlanning, Reg. & Compliance

40 years, June 4

Ceil SmithTransmission O&M 41 years, June 16

Sammy HoggT&D Eng. & Const. 38 years, June 22

Ralph GunterEnergy Services

33 years, June 22

Keith LynchSubstation O&M 36 years, June 13

Ronda KirklandCentral Generation

31 years, June 6

John ShawBulk Power Services 33 years, June 16

Paige CulbrethFinancial Planning

32 years, June 8

Michael HattawaySubstation O&M17 years, June 3

Kim ArringtonFuels & Energy Resources

20 years, June 7

David PurvisMcIntosh

21 years, June 1

Carol PageLegal Affairs

19 years, June 12

Jamie HawkinsT&D Technical Services

18 years, June 11

Russell KeithLowman

20 years, June 21

Heather AndersonFinance & Accounting

19 years, June 5

Taylor WilliamsGov’t Affairs & Eco. Dev.

10 years, June 1

Casey JacksonT&D Technical Services

13 years, June 26

Sherry CriswellLowman

12 years, June 25

Paul DuboseComp. Info. Services

16 years, June 9

Chris FloodCommunications11 years, June 9

James HoggT&D Technical Svcs.

6 years, June 24

Michael BallardCentral Generation

4 years, June 1

Mitch AlexanderT&D Technical Services

5 years, June 30

John LanierCentral Generation

4 years, June 1

Scotty MoseleyTransmission O&M

9 years, June 14

Al MosleyLowman

8 years, June 13

Josh BlackburnSubstation O&M 9 years, June 28

Tommy AverillSafety Services 6 years, June 24

Courtney BowersT&D Eng. & Const.6 years, June 17

Miles HammacEnergy Services6 years, June 24

Colton SimsT&D Technical Services

4 years, June 1

Harrison ObenhoferCentral Generation

4 years, June 8

Ryan SandersCentral Generation

4 years, June 8

Kevin FreeneyCentral Generation

4 years, June 8

Colby CohronTelecom Services

3 years, June 6

Dustin KilcreaseEnvironmental Svcs.

4 years, June 15

Will BlountEnvironmental Svcs.

3 years, June 13

Ty BallardSubstation O&M2 years, June 7

Scarlett PhaneufGov’t Affairs & Eco. Dev.

2 years, June 12

Rita SandersPower Supply

2 years, June 19

Brandon RogersSubstation O&M1 year, June 29

Anthony ElmoreEngineering

1 year, June 11

Jackson SmithEngineering

1 year, June 11

Bo McKathanCentral Generation

4 years, June 8

Page 11: Powerlines · 2019. 6. 6. · Keisha Williams Science Teacher Lee High School Montgomery, Alabama school district Teachers experienced many teachable moments while immersed in classroom

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EMPLOYEE NEWSEMPLOYEE NEWS

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Happy Birthday!June 2 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .Brandon GarrettJune 3 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Steven KingJune 4 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Brett Mack

Tammy MountMitch Pugh

June 5 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Julie O’ConnorChris Powell

June 7 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Darrell LathanJune 10 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Keith Curry

Gary GoldmanJune 11 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . George Rhodes

Scott RogersJune 12 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .Greig Foshee

Tiffany JohnsonJune 13 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Dustin Dunagan

Jay FarringtonJune 14 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Paige Culbreth

Jeremy HardyShawn McCardell

Stanley PooleBuffy Sansom

June 15 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Mark ElmoreHunter Weaver

June 17 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Joe BoydColby Cohron

Josh MullenJune 19 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .Kim Johns

Colby SandersonJune 20 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .Michael Dauphin

Ericka EcholsEric Hicks

June 22 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .Dewayne FosheeWill McVay

June 23 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Travis MartinJune 24 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Seth HammettJune 27 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Michael Blackledge

Tim HattawayJune 28 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Chad HendersonJune 30 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .Justin Cottle

Welcome Branyon Clarke, Work Study in Safety Services, effective April 1.

Brandon Garrett, Engineer III in the Engineering Division, effective April 22.

Benji Jordan, Facility Worker II in Substation O&M, effective April 1.

Drew Nixon, Facility Worker II in Substation O&M, effective April 8.

Blake Quimby, Engineer III in the Engineering Division, effective April 15.

Buffy Sansom, Analyst II in Power Supply, effective April 22.

Promotions Heather Cravey was promoted to Purchasing Supervisor in Legal Affairs, effective April 1.

Tiffany Johnson was promoted to Sr. Administrative Clerk in Telecom Services, effective April 22.

Shawn McCardell was promoted to Programmer/Analyst II in Computer Information Services, effective April 8.

Donnie Pitts was promoted to Crew Leader - Substation in Substation O&M, effective April 7.

Joey Reeves was promoted to T&D Technical Services Specialist in T&D Technical Services, effective April 1.

Retirements Best wishes to Ricky Cook, Storekeeper in Legal Affairs, who retired April 1 after 34 years of service.

Best wishes to Steve Grissett, Sr. Systems Analyst in Computer Information Services, who retired April 1 after 37 years of service.

Good-bye and good luck Daryl Beck, Maintenance Technician at Lowman, effective April 19.

Joey Cooper, Maintenance Technician at Lowman, effective April 15.

Dylan Dee, Co-op Engineer at Central Generation, effective April 25.

Shane Jones, Work Study at Central Generation, effective April 26.

Comings and goings

JUNE

28POWERSOUTH

Monthly Board MeetingHeadquarters employees should wear business casual attire.

PowerSouth’s ACRE delegates traveled to Washington, D.C., in April to support the cooperative’s legislative priorities at the NRECA 2019 Legislative Conference.

More than 2,000 electric cooperative leaders from across the country attended, educating policymakers on the benefits of consumer-owned electric cooperatives. They also promoted the needs of rural communities in infrastructure legislation, as well as legislation to protect electric cooperatives’ tax-exempt status and cooperative employee pensions.

ACRE delegates visit Washington, D.C.

For more information about ACRE, contact Wanda Woods, PowerSouth Support Services Coordinator, at ext. 3369.

(Above, left to right): Wanda Woods in Communications, Rachel Paul, Patrick Paul at Lowman, Valorie Loper, Robbie Loper at Lowman, Hayley Elmore, Anthony Elmore in Engineering, Anna Stephens in Member Services, Tyler Stephens and Baynard Wardin Communications. Employees with bolded names represented PowerSouth at the annual conference.

Page 12: Powerlines · 2019. 6. 6. · Keisha Williams Science Teacher Lee High School Montgomery, Alabama school district Teachers experienced many teachable moments while immersed in classroom

P.O. Box 550Andalusia, AL 36420

Powerlines is published monthly for the employees and members of PowerSouth Energy Cooperative.

Vice President, Member Services & CommunicationsLeigh Grantham

Communications ManagerBaynard Ward

Digital & Creative Services Coordinator, Powerlines EditorChristi Scruggs, CCC

PhotographyJohn Dean | Chris Flood | Alex Short

Communications DepartmentPowerSouth Energy Cooperative2027 East Three Notch Street (36421)P.O. Box 550 (36420) | Andalusia, [email protected]

www.powersouth.com

Send comments or story suggestions to [email protected].

To request a printed version of this issue:Lisa Haney | (334) [email protected]

Equal Opportunity Employer/Vets/Disabled

June photo contest winner: Wayne Harrison

Congratulations to Wayne

Harrison at Lowman for

winning this month’s photo

contest. June’s photo contest

theme was “Happy Travels.”

July’s photo contest theme is “Fun in the Sun.”

IMPORTANT: When sending photos taken with a mobile device (cellphone), be sure to send the highest quality possible.

The submission deadline for the July contest is June 15. Please submit only one entry per employee per month.

Send entries to Christi Scruggs at [email protected] or via interoffice mail. g