EET&D – How did you end up working for Alabama Power Company?

Clark – I was a sophomore in 1967 at the University of South Alabama in Mobile, when I successfully applied for a summer job with Alabama Power after a company recruiter visited the campus that spring. In November 1967, I was approached at an Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers (IEEE) section meeting and asked if I was interested in a student engineer position at Alabama Power. On December 15, 1967, I resumed my employment with the company.
 

EET&D – What do you think is the biggest difference in the utility industry between when you first started your job and today?

Clark – The evolution of the digital computer environment in the office, in the substations and along the distribution lines. Today, work practices in the office are all performed within the digital environment. The digital computer capability has been extended to the operations of the distribution lines. None of this capability existed when I started as a student engineer.
 

EET&D – What do you think is the biggest difference in the utility industry between when you first started your job and today?

Clark – Yes, the utility industry is very different. The digital environment has opened doors to improved efficiencies and more effective means to manage and control the electric system.
 

EET&D – How has the industry changed since you first started your career?

Clark – The industry is encouraging technology development all the way to the end user. The advent of the Smart Grid helped to accelerate the deployment of technology throughout the industry and inside of the utility. Consumer expectations are increasing and leading the utility industry to find improved operational techniques.
 

EET&D – What has surprised you most about any of these changes?

Clark – The adoption of change is most surprising. The implementation of the digital operating environment inside the control room was well received. The distribution operators were eager to embrace the digital age to operate and control the Smart Grid.
 

EET&D – What has been your greatest challenge with the industry?

Clark – The greatest challenge is staying current with the rapidly changing electric industry.
 

EET&D – How did you overcome this challenge?

Clark – Involvement in the industry is the best way to overcome this challenge. I am the current chair of the IEEE Power and Energy Society (PES) Smart Distribution Working Group. I participate in the Distribution Automation Track for the annual DistribuTECH Conference. I am a frequent speaker at other industry conferences which provide opportunities to meet and exchange ideas with leading industry experts. I started attending local IEEE meetings while in college. Over the years, this IEEE involvement has expanded to a national level within the PES. The short answer is to stay engaged within your chosen field of endeavor.
 

EET&D – What is an important lesson you would like to pass on to your younger counterparts?

Clark – The most important lesson is to be open and receptive to new and innovative ideas. Challenges are opportunities to expand one’s knowledge and value to the enterprise.
 

EE T&D – What do you think is the biggest challenge facing young employees just joining the electricity sector?

Clark – The biggest challenge is grasping the rapidly developing digital environment that is frequently referred to as the Smart Grid. This is the obvious future of the electric utility industry.
 

EET&D – What are the two greatest accomplishments of your career?

Clark – My number one accomplishment is raising my family alongside my wife, Brenda. We have two children with spouses and six grandchildren. This is my whole reason for being.

My number two accomplishment is the development and deployment of Distribution Automation (DA) for Alabama Power’s electric distribution system. In my opinion, the DA initiative is a flagship demonstration of the benefits of automating the electric system. Improved visibility of the electric system has been achieved while advancing its operations and efficiency.
 

EET&D – What are you most proud of about your work?

Clark – The opportunities that were provided to influence and expand DA techniques. DA is a foundation technology of the Smart Grid for now and the future. I was proud and honored to be recognized by my industry peers with the 2014 IEEE PES Douglas M. Staszesky Distribution Automation Award for pioneering significant contributions to advanced Distribution Automation technology deployment and integration of smart distribution applications, and with the elevation to the grade of Fellow in IEEE in January 2016 for contributions in distribution automation for power.
 

EET&D – What are you most proud of about your personal life?

Clark – My family is my greatest personal achievement.
 

EET&D – Where do you see the industry five years from now?

Clark – Technology growth seems to be becoming exponential. Digital communications are improving rapidly. The visibility of the electric system will extend into consumers’ homes as the Internet of Things (IoT) rapidly becomes a viable reality. Consumers will use the same IoT communications path to manage the energy exchange with the addition of renewables at their homes.
 

EET&D – What should today’s utility companies know to position themselves for a successful future?

Clark – Today’s utility company should be willing to embrace and implement technology advancements. The Smart Grid is an achievable goal. Someone once said that Rome was not built in a day. And, neither will the Smart Grid be achieved in a day. But, attention to the details will ensure that the Smart Grid becomes a reality.
 

EET&D – What would you have done if you had not been an engineer or worked for Alabama Power?

Clark – If not an engineer, I believe that I would have considered a career in music. I grew up in the Rock & Roll era. I enjoyed listening to and playing the songs of the golden age of Rock & Roll.
 

EET&D – What else would you like people to know about you, the work you do, and the company for which you work?

Clark – Work is not an adequate word to describe what I do. I enjoy the challenges of solving problems, helping others to be successful and sharing my 50 years of experiences.