Two long-serving members of Alabama Power’s board of directors, David J. Cooper Sr. of Mobile and Patricia M. King of Anniston, will retire April 27, the company announced today.

Cooper, vice chairman of Cooper/T. Smith Corporation in Mobile, has served on the Alabama Power board since April 1998. King, chairman of the board of Sunny King Automotive Group in Anniston, has served on the Alabama Power board since July 1997. 

“For many years, and through many changes, David and Patty have been tremendously important in guiding Alabama Power’s leadership,” said Mark Crosswhite, Alabama Power chairman, president and CEO. “Their wise counsel has contributed to Alabama Power’s success as we strive every day to provide our customers with the reliable service they expect and deserve.”

King attended Jacksonville State University (JSU), Southern Institute School of Interior Design and the National Automobile Dealers Association Academy. She serves as director on the boards of NobleBank & Trust, the Knox Concert Series, the Public Education Foundation of Anniston, the Business Council of Alabama and the JSU Board of Visitors. She is actively involved in community events including the Calhoun County Relay for Life and the United Cerebral Palsy Center. Her organization is the primary sponsor of the Sunny King Charity Golf Classic and the Sunny King Criterium, which has been named a Top Ten event in the state. King was recently recognized as the Calhoun County Citizen of the Year.

King is a member of the National Automobile Dealers Association, the American International Automobile Dealers Association, the Automobile Dealers Association of Alabama and the Society of International Business Fellows. She has received the Heart of an Eagle Award from the Boy Scouts of America and the Rotary Foundation Paul Harris Fellow Award. King is an active member of Grace Episcopal Church.

Cooper is a graduate of University Military School and the University of Alabama School of Commerce and Business Administration. After college he joined his family’s stevedoring company, which operates in 37 ports in the United States, plus operations in South America. Cooper/T. Smith has diversified its business interests and now includes 31 subsidiaries and affiliated companies.

He continues to serve, or has served, on the boards of Regions Financial Corporation, the Economic Development Partnership of Alabama, International Transportation Service in Long Beach, California, Crescent Towing and Salvage Company Inc. in New Orleans, CSC Assurance in Hamilton, Bermuda, and the American Automobile Association. He is a former director of SouthTrust Bank (now Wells Fargo & Company) and a former director of AmSouth Bank (now Regions Financial).

Cooper also serves numerous civic and educational organizations, including the Alabama State Port Authority, Mobile Infirmary Medical Center, the International Business Advisory Board, UMS-Wright Preparatory School board of trustees, Mobile Carnival Association, Mobile Area Chamber of Commerce, Japan-America Society of Alabama, Mobile Industrial Development Board, Mobile Touchdown Club and the Country Club of Mobile.

Cooper received the 1995 Achievement in Transportation Award from the University of Alabama and the 1996 Outstanding Alumni Award from the UMS-Wright Alumni Association. He was inducted into the Alabama Academy of Honor in 2011 and the Alabama Business Hall of Fame in 2013. He is an active member of Christ Episcopal Cathedral and is married to the former Joanne Knowles. They have three adult children and six grandchildren.

Alabama Power, a subsidiary of Atlanta-based Southern Company (NYSE:SO), provides reliable, affordable energy to more than 1.4 million customers across the state.