More than 90 percent of thirty-three diversity recommendations are complete, said B. Mitchell King, Manager of Diversity Action for Georgia Power.

"These initiatives included diversity training for employees, managers and supervisors," said King.

One of the classes, Diversity 101, educates employees on what diversity is, using a broad perspective, including a discussion on bias and stereotypes.

"The training for all Georgia Power employees was complete in less than 18 months," said King.

There was also a separate training class for the managers and supervisors on what is needed on the part of leadership to create and support inclusion.

"We welcome and value the differences of our employees, customers and shareholders," he said. "Our success depends upon that."

In his role, King is responsible for implementing Georgia Power's diversity initiatives as well as guiding the development of long-term diversity strategies.

Prior to his current position, he worked as the Assistant to the Regional Manager for the company's Central Region, where his duties included external affairs and community relations as well as internal project coordination.

King also previously held positions in the company's information resources and human resources departments.

"The diversity recommendations are just the start," he said. "Our work is not finished.

"I expect us to do more diversity work beyond these recommendations," continued King. "This is not the endgame."

Senior officials of Georgia Power understand diversity is a long-term commitment, he said.

"Diversity is a part of how we do business," said King. "The recommendations are becoming a fundamental, systemic part of our regular diversity work.

"Diversity is not a quick fix," he continued. "It takes time, resources and effort to change the corporate culture. Diversity can become something a company can leverage as it does business."

Diversity Comes From Top, Holmes At Georgia Power

Diversity is understanding people's differences and making them feel included, said Richard Holmes, senior vice president of Corporate Services for Georgia Power.

"Diversity is valuing people's differences -- in background, behavior, experience, style," he said. "We look at those differences as a value for the company.

"We optimize the value of everyone's differences," continued Holmes. "We look at people's differences as well as similarities as a benefit to our employees, customers, shareholders and to the various communities in which we do business."

Holmes most recently served as vice president of Corporate Services.

In that position, he had responsibility for several departments including Corporate Security, Risk Management, Corporate Facilities and Labor Relations.

In his new role, Holmes oversees a new organization that includes his recent responsibilities along with the Employee and Corporate Relations Department, which includes Diversity Action, Workplace Ethics, Minority/Female Supplier Development, Workplace Planning and Corporate Relations.

Holmes is also a part of the Georgia Power Management Council.

The Employee and Corporate Relations Department was previously managed by Senior Vice President Jim Davis, who recently retired.

The key to promoting diversity is creating an inclusive culture, said Holmes.

"We recently looked at several areas with the intent of what we could do better," he said. "We identified these areas based on gaps such as input, leadership and trust."

The assessment resulted in the creation of 33 diversity initiatives.

The initiatives have resulted in diversity training for employees and managers, networking groups and computer access for all employees, among other recommendations.

"We are doing great things here," said Holmes. "What I want to do is to take a step back and determine whether or not we are delivering on those milestones, and determine what is next for us.

"Diversity is much more than a program; it is a journey," he continued.

Responding well to diversity issues and challenges results from the leadership of senior officers including Georgia Power President and CEO David M. Ratcliffe, said Holmes.

"He is leading the charge and is head cheerleader," he said. "His dream is for every employee, manager, officer and supervisor to have the same attitude, drive and energy toward the same goals.

Source: Georgia Power