To prepare for the future and allow PowerSouth Energy Cooperative to continue promoting growth and stability in its distribution members service areas, the cooperative has announced the following organizational changes to its External Affairs division, effective August 31.

PowerSouth’s announcement today follows the departure of Taylor Williams, who had served as vice president of external affairs and the cooperative’s lead public voice on economic development.

Williams left this summer for Montgomery lobbying firm Fine, Geddie & Associates, after more than a decade at PowerSouth, where he moved up from governmental affairs and economic development manager to director of external affairs in 2021 before taking the vice presidency role.

“One of the things that gives me the greatest confidence about the future is the remarkable group of people we have in External Affairs,” said Horace Horn, PowerSouth’s Senior Vice President of External Affairs.

“I am proud of who they are and the work they do in building relationships with policy makers and community leaders, and I know their leadership will continue to position our cooperative well for the future.”

Lora McClendon

Lora McClendon has been named Vice President of External Affairs. Lora began her PowerSouth career as Governmental & Public Affairs Representative in 2021, where she advocated for the interests of PowerSouth and electric cooperatives at the local, state and federal levels in Alabama, Florida and Washington, D.C.

In her new role, she will oversee all the cooperative’s external affairs, including governmental affairs, economic development and community development initiatives.

Prior to her work with PowerSouth, she served as Chief of Staff for the Montgomery Area Chamber of Commerce and spent five years in Washington, D.C. as a congressional staffer for both the South Carolina and Alabama congressional delegations.

Scarlett Phaneuf

Scarlett Phaneuf has been named Director of External Affairs. Scarlett began her career at PowerSouth in 2017 and most recently served as External Affairs Representative for PowerSouth’s Florida service territory.

Her previous positions include Vice President of the Bay Economic Development Alliance and Executive Director of the Walton County Economic Development Alliance.

In her new role, Scarlett will oversee the team responsible for PowerSouth’s economic development and community development efforts across Alabama and northwest Florida, building partnerships and leading initiatives that create jobs and stimulate economic growth.

Thomas Tyson

Thomas Tyson will serve as Economic Development Manager. Thomas began his career at PowerSouth in 2020 as an Economic Development Representative for PowerSouth’s Alabama service territory, covering more than half the state.

He previously worked for the City of Opelika, the Mobile Area Chamber of Commerce and as a Senior Project Manager for the Alabama Department of Commerce, the state’s leading economic development organization.

He will lead PowerSouth’s efforts to attract, retain and expand businesses and industries in PowerSouth’s service territory.