Laura McClendon and her career are a testament to the power of vision, hard work, and dedication.

McClendon was interested in government issues from a young age. She earned a bachelor's degree in political science from the University of South Carolina and attended Auburn University's Herbert College of Business, where she earned her MBA. After her college graduation, she worked on Capitol Hill and on Capitol Hill as a Congressional staffer. Congressional delegations from South Carolina and Alabama.

The time I spent in Washington DC was pivotal. There she was exposed to the field of energy and environmental policy, which quickly became interesting to her. McClendon made many important connections during her five years in Washington, DC. Some of them later became colleagues in her current position at Power South, and two of them later became her bosses.

After moving to Alabama, he stayed in touch with his contacts while spending time in Montgomery as chief of staff for the Montgomery Area Chamber of Commerce. In this role, she was involved in a series of initiatives across the state. Her goal was to promote economic development across the state and partner with organizations to advance others. When a position at PowerSouth became available where she could leverage many of the connections she had developed over the years, she knew it was the perfect time to make the move.

In his current role, McClendon is committed to developing his professional skills through continuous learning. She says, “You can gain all kinds of experience from all over the world, but the landscape is changing and there's always more to learn as you take on responsibilities and gain an understanding of the company you work for.” states.

McClendon continues to work with industry organizations to stay informed about what's happening in the industry. We also work closely with our internal experts to better understand current challenges and what to expect in the future. She prioritizes her relationships and strives to maintain her curious personality to continually learn.

McClendon cites female mentors throughout her career in both D.C. and Alabama as a source of professional inspiration. Especially the few people who teach her the ropes of Washington, D.C., and network with others who share her interests and give her wisdom from her decades of experience. helped. “They were a huge influence in that regard,” McClendon said. One of her mentors in particular, Connie Myers, has been outstanding to her in actively supporting young women and her advancement in this field.

McClendon has played key roles in many projects throughout her career, but she thinks the project is the most exciting to see come to fruition. In his previous role, he led community efforts in support of the 187th Fighter Wing, a Montgomery-based unit of the Alabama Air National Guard that was aiming for an F-35 force to replace its aging F16 fleet. . This was a time-consuming project that required coordination among various local, state, and federal stakeholders. The project was a success, and the 187th Fighter Wing now flies the F35.

Beyond her professional activities, Ms. McClendon is deeply involved in her local community, currently serving on the boards of River Region Trails, Alabama FFA Foundation, and Goodwill Industries of Central Alabama. She is also an advisory board member for the Alabama Trails Commission and a member of the Outreach Committee of Trinity Presbyterian Church in Montgomery, Alabama.

Looking to the future, McClendon hopes to continue his work with Power South and create a positive impact for decades to come.