Donna D. Smith

Title:
Human Resource Director

Company/Organization:
Alabama Power Company

Email:
ddsmith@southernco.com

Website:
www.SouthernCompany.com

Phone: 205-257-2253

Fax: 205-257-1138

Address:
600 N. 18th Street
P.O. Box 2641
Birmingham, AL 35291


Favorite Awards & Honors: Board of Trustees, Goldwater Foundation Board of Directors, Cahaba Council of Girl Scouts, Leadership Birmingham, 2002, Co-Chair, Programs, 2003-04; Alabama Children's Policy Council.

Education: Mary Baldwin College and The University of Alabama-B.A. Political Science; The University of Alabama M.S.; Samford University-MBA; Accounting and Finance for Utilities-The Wharton School of Business, University of Pennsylvania.

Family: Husband, Julian, and one son, Houston, 24.

Personal Business Philosophy: Prepare yourself well-know your material, be thoughtful and focus on your end in mind. Treat everyone with respect.

Favorite Quote: "The longer I live, the more I realize the impact of attitude on life....I am convinced that life is 10% what happens to me and 90% how I react to it."

Advice to women in business: Find out what's really important to you and constantly shift priorities to allow you to achieve the goals you really care about... give up on having or doing it all at the same time. Make choices but be in charge of those choices yourself.

Best advice ever received: My Dad gives me "Pearls of Wisdom" all the time. I think his admonition "Don't quit" has been great advice.

Secret to surviving in business: Hard work and determination along with the ability to laugh!

Your strongest inspiration: My faith and my family

What being in business has taught you: Being in business has taught me that I can do so much more than I ever expected - and someone will pay me to do it.

Secret to dealing with employees: Everyone likes to feel that they are special and that their contribution is valued.