A century ago, James Mitchell – engineer, builder, entrepreneur, and man of the world – traveled to the American South and made the first big bet for Southern Company. Mitchell was so inspired by the hydro potential of Alabama’s rivers that he dreamed of developing a series of dams to electrify the Southeast. To bring his dream to life, he sketched out a regional power network, raised money from British investors, and created the first of the three forerunner holding companies that would play prominent roles in Southern Company’s history. In the century since, Southern Company and its predecessor companies have faced every conceivable impediment to progress – natural and man-made disasters, a hostile takeover, financial challenges and numerous threats and attempts to pull its business apart and scramble the pieces. Rather than being destroyed by these challenges, Southern Company grew stronger, more resilient, and more committed to its mission.