PowerSouth, an energy cooperative servicing parts of South Alabama have joined Alabama Power in cutting ties with the Business Council of Alabama (BCA).
In a letter to BCA Chairman Perry Hand and the BCA Executive Committee, President & CEO of PowerSouth Gary L. Smith indicated that the company believes the BCA has become ineffective under the leadership of Billy Canary.
“Our problem with BCA is simply Billy Canary and his leadership. Billy has been effective in the past, but in our opinion Billy is now a severe liability and must be replaced for BCA to again be effective,” Smith said in the letter.
PowerSouth’s concerns are similar to those listed by Alabama Power, “[W]e have become concerned that membership in BCA has become a liability rather than a benefit,” wrote Alabama Power CEO Mark Crosswhite in a letter to BCA Chairman Hand and Executive Committee. He continued, “To be candid, BCA has needlessly alienated federal and state officials, failed to communicate with its own members, squandered our collective corporate goodwill, allowed its financial health to decline, and become a divisive force in our State.”
Read PowerSouth’s full letter to BCA below:
Dear Perry:
Power South has been a long, supportive member of BCA. We have supported the BCA political agenda, assisted on many BCA projects and sponsored a number of events for BCA.
More recently, I have expressed our concern that BCA has lost its effectiveness and, more importantly, its way. I have described in detail many of our specific concerns about BCA’s activities, shortcomings, and relationships. You are familiar with those concerns and I will not repeat them. They are all symptoms of a more serious issue of leadership.
Our problem with BCA is simply Billy Canary and his leadership. Billy has been effective in the past, but in our opinion Billy is now a severe liability and must be replaced for BCA to again be effective.
You indicated the BCA Executive Committee agrees a leadership change is needed, but we have serious disagreements about the timing of the replacement, Billy’s continuing involvement in the search for his replacement, and his involvement in the leadership transition. We have no interest in participating or supporting an organization that Billy heads, influences through his choice of successor, or can manipulate through a transitional plan. It is simply time to completely sever the relationship before further damage is done to the organization.
Apparently, the Executive Committee doesn’t view the leadership issues as seriously as we measure them. Therefore, you have left us no option other than to withdraw from BCA immediately.
Sincerely, GARA Gary L. Smith President & CEO
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