women to watch
“ DON ’ T BE AFRAID TO MAKE MISTAKES , BUT BE QUICK TO LEARN AND MOVE ON WHEN YOU DO .”
Photography by Aubrie Moates .
Lora McClendon finds her work as Governmental & Public Affairs Representative at PowerSouth fulfilling . In both this role ( a position she ’ s held for two years ) and previous jobs , she ’ s continually motivated by the results her efforts bring , results that make measurable positive impacts on many . But she doesn ’ t take all the credit ; she ’ s most energized when working — and winning — as a team .
Helping Hand : I currently serve as a Board Member for Goodwill Industries of Central Alabama , the Alabama FFA Foundation , Friends of the Alabama Archives and River Region Trails ; as an advisory board member for the Alabama Trails Commission ; and as a member of the Outreach Committee at Trinity Presbyterian Church in Montgomery . I also had the opportunity last year to serve on the Children ’ s of Alabama Committee for the Future . Children ’ s is such an amazing place that you hope you never have to use but are grateful for it when needed . I can ’ t say enough about how lucky we are to have such a resource right here in Alabama .
On the Job : PowerSouth is a generation and transmission electric cooperative that serves the wholesale electric power needs of 20 distribution members — 16 electric cooperatives and four municipal electric systems in Alabama and northwest Florida . In my role , I represent the company at the federal , state and local levels in Alabama , Florida and Washington , D . C .
Fulfilled : My work is interesting , and project-based , yielding tangible results . I also work with a great team and for a great company that cares about its employees , which makes all the difference !
LOVE LIST
MCCLENDON ’ S ALL-TIME FAVES
SHOP STOPS : Al ’ s Flowers , Welle Studio and Southern Homes & Gardens
POWER-UP PLACE : Vintage Café
GO-TO TUNE : Higher Power by Coldplay
QUOTEABLE : “ He is before all things and in Him all things hold together .” Colossians 1:17
MAIN MOTTO : Never give up .
Personal Best : I have had the opportunity to work on SEVERAL BIG PROJECTS THAT HAVE FELT LIKE “ WINS .” Most of these have been team-based accomplishments . One was working with leaders who advocated for the F-35 Joint Strike Fighter to come to Alabama . More recently , the River Region Trails organization , for which I am a member of the board , recently released a strategic plan to develop a comprehensive trail network in Montgomery . On a personal note , I am proud to be a mom and to have completed an MBA through COVID and with a newborn !
Future-Focused : PowerSouth is a great company , and the energy industry finds itself in a period of dynamic change , so there are plenty of opportunities to continue to learn and grow in my current position and beyond . I HOPE TO CONTINUE TO ENJOY THE WORK THAT I DO AND SHARPEN MY LEVEL OF EXPERTISE IN MY FIELD .
CentrAL Inc ! 67