In observance of African American History Month, PJM employees volunteered to gather and share information about their personal heroes. Here’s what they had to say:

John Hadrick, senior telecommunications analyst – Telecom Infrastructure
Hadrick shared how his older brother, banking industry innovator James William Wright (1943-2010), was a positive influence on him. He said, “My father died when I was 19 years old.  At that time I didn’t need or consider anyone else a possible role model.  Fortunately I had older siblings to help fill that void.”

Hadrick provided the following summary about his brother.

Wright worked in the banking industry for over 40 years. From 1981 to 1990, he served as president and CEO of Beneficial National Bank in Wilmington, De.  During this time, he was one of only two African Americans to serve as president and CEO of majority owned financial institutions in this country.  In 1991, Wright decided to pursue a dream of owning his own bank.  Joined by three other investors, he purchased what was then known as the Tuskegee Federal Savings and Loan Association.  It was the oldest continually operating minority financial institution in the United States, created in 1894 by Booker T. Washington on the campus of what was then Tuskegee Institute (now Tuskegee University) located in Tuskegee, Ala.

Wright changed the bank name and created a full service state chartered commercial bank.  As president and CEO of what is now First Tuskegee Bank in Tuskegee, Ala., Wright transformed the bank into one of the fastest growing and most profitable financial institutions in the state.  The bank also received national attention and is consistently ranked among the top 25 minority owned financial institutions in the country.

Now, over 20 years later, First Tuskegee Bank is still thriving led by Wright’s son Neill S. Wright who is currently chairman, president and CEO.

Jacqulynn Hugee, assistant general counsel – Office of General Counsel
Hugee counts Wilma Rudolph – the first American woman to win three gold medals in track and field events at the Olympics – among those who have been a positive influence on her.

“Wilma Rudolph is one of my heroes because she taught me that there are no impediments that I can’t overcome and that if I work hard I can achieve my goals,” Hugee said. “In my view, she was the epitome of courage, determination, dedication, strength and perseverance.”

Look for additional postings from more PJM employees throughout the month.

By Sheila Volinsky

PJM employees care for their communities in many ways. We asked employees to share with us videos they made that showcase and explain how they give back – whether serving meals at a homeless shelter; running to support a charity; or building homes for those in need.

One employee’s inspiring video raises awareness of breast cancer and shows her support for the American Cancer Society’s Making Strides Against Breast Cancer event.

We plan to feature other employee-made videos throughout the year. Visit community.pjm.com to learn more about how employees participate in community, civic and health-related projects to enhance and support their communities.

New electricity storage technologies and advanced technology pilots that are advancing the grid are highlighted on electricity storage page on pjm.com. It also includes links to PJM videos: The Power of Two, about the latest developments with lithium ion batteries and plug-in hybrid electric vehicles, and Water Heater Pilot, which explains how thermal storage can participate as demand response in PJM’s Energy and Regulation markets.

www.bit.ly/pjmstorage

In anticipation of Hurricane Irene, PJM, which operates the power grid for 13 states and Washington, D.C., is tracking the storm as it progresses up the East Coast. Updates on the status of the transmission system grid will be provided through “pjminterconnect” on Twitter.

Here are some key points on preparedness:

• PJM Interconnection is constantly monitoring the storm track.
• We are watching closely for the potential for individual nuclear units in the East to be affected by high winds or high water levels. These units may have to reduce their output.
• Power reserves are expected to be good but could be affected by the hurricane, particularly if units are forced to shut down or reduce output in PJM’s Southern and Mid-Atlantic regions.
• Individual utilities in PJM are making their own determinations and taking normal storm preparations steps such as activating storm restoration teams and contacting external field crews.
• A hurricane’s greatest effects on the electric power system typically are on the local distribution systems rather than the high-voltage transmission system. For example, high winds may blow down trees and tree branches that pull down the wires serving neighborhood homes and businesses.
• Although a storm can affect the transmission system, usually, storm-related power outages result from distribution system damage.