Energy makers: the people who help power Alabama
Mark Newburn, left, has worked at various plants during his nearly 44-year career with Alabama Power. Today, Newburn is Operations manager at Greene County Steam Plant. (contributed)
The Alabama Power Generation team can be found across the state. From the bay of Mobile to the hills north of Birmingham, from the lakes and flat plains in the east to the chalk-lined soil of the west, each employee works to provide reliable electricity for Alabama Power’s 1.5 million customers.
Often, when we flip the switch, we don’t think about where the power comes from or who helps generate it. However, a dedicated team is at each of Alabama Power’s 26 plants and facilities, 24 hours a day, seven days a week, doing the work to keep us cool on hot summer days and warm on long winter nights.
Plant Greene County Operations Manager Mark Newburn, right, learned the importance of continuing to develop his skills during his long career at Alabama Power. (contributed)
One of these employees is Mark Newburn, who later this year will celebrate 44 years with Alabama Power. Newburn started his career at Plant Barry in 1980 as a utilityman and is now the Operations manager at Greene County Steam Plant.
“I started my career doing general housekeeping items at the plant,” Newburn said. “Anything that needed to be done, I did it. Whether it was turning a wrench or sweeping the floor, if it was labor, I was doing it.”
More than 40 years later, Newburn looks back on his career after working at multiple power plants. He worked at Plants Barry and Miller, was on the original team at the Washington County Cogen Facility and is now at Greene County. Newburn realizes how important it is to continue to learn and develop oneself.
“You have to be ready and willing to take opportunities,” Newburn said. “You must prepare and work hard and be good at what you do, but continuing to develop yourself is how you will be successful. One day, you will realize that you have not only had a successful career, but that you are a better person now because of it.”
Tabetha Lemonds is another example of dedicated employees who keep Alabama Power running. A Power Generation analyst at Plant Gaston, Lemonds has spent 16 years at Alabama Power and realized she found her home away from home at Plant Gaston.
“I want my workplace to feel like family and that’s how I feel here at Plant Gaston,” Lemonds said. “I have people in my corner here that push me to be better, just like family does, and I’m incredibly grateful for those people.”
Lemonds also finds great value in her Alabama Power Service Organization (APSO) family. The company’s service arm has 6,200 members in nine chapters across the state who contribute their personal time, talent and dedication to support nonprofits and community organizations through volunteerism.
“I’ve always been someone who enjoys giving back, so being able to pair my love of that with what I do for work is really worthwhile to me,” Lemonds said. “We always look for ways to serve the community, and a highlight for me is Christmastime. Last year, we participated in a local Christmas parade, and I dressed up in a big gingerbread man costume. It was a struggle to get on and walk in, but supporting the community in that way was special.”
Alabama Power Hydro Superintendent Montreall Hearn uses a leadership style he calls ‘leadership stew,’ drawing on valuable advice from different leaders he has had the opportunity to work with throughout the years. (contributed)
While Newburn and Lemonds both work at steam plants, Alabama Power also uses clean fuel sources like nuclear, solar and hydro to serve customers. With 14 hydroelectric generating plants, Alabama Power is the largest water manager in the state.
Former college athlete and now Hydro Superintendent Montreall Hearn relishes helping power the state with clean energy.
“I love hydro,” Hearn said. “Being able to see the beauty of nature and knowing that I help make a difference is one of the reasons I love my job.”
A 22-year veteran of the company, Hearn has learned anyone can lead and that learning from others by finding the right mentors is invaluable.
“My leadership style is what I call ‘leadership stew,’” Hearn said. “I’ve taken advice from each of the leaders I’ve had in my career and that is how I try to lead. The biggest things any leader can do are embrace differences and treat people with respect. Those two things can remove so many roadblocks and will lead to success not just in your role, but in life.”
The dedication and passion of Alabama Power’s Generation employees, like Newburn, Lemonds and Hearn, underscore the core values that drive communities across the state forward. Their stories of perseverance and leadership demonstrate that behind every light switch we flip, there are dedicated individuals working tirelessly to power our lives and our future.
