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UAB Biomedical Engineering graduate Kimberly Greene, who will assume the role of executive vice president and chief operating officer of Southern Company on March 1, was inducted into the State of Alabama Engineering Hall of Fame on Feb. 15. Greene earned a master’s degree in biomedical engineering before beginning a career of more than 20 years in the utility industry. In her new position, Greene will oversee generation, transmission, engineering and construction services, system planning and research, and environmental affairs.
“Kimberly Greene is an example of an Engineering graduate who has creatively applied her training as an engineer to meet challenges in an industry that spans the engineering, science and business disciplines, and has risen to a position of considerable responsibility,” said School of Engineering Dean Iwan Alexander, Ph.D. “Her accomplishments are an inspiration to our students, and her service to our school through advisory board membership for our Advanced Safety Engineering and Management master’s program has been of tremendous value and is much appreciated by our faculty.”
Greene received her bachelor’s degree in engineering science and mechanics from the University of Tennessee before going on to earn her MBA from Samford University and master’s degree from UAB. Her original career plan involved putting her biomedical training to use designing artificial orthopedic implants in Indiana, but she took a job at Southern Company as a temporary measure while her husband realized his goal of becoming an airline pilot.
It was not long before she found that the skills she had developed as a biomedical engineer could be applied to a wide variety of disciplines.
“I never intended to work for an electric utility company, but it turns out that the experience I gained in graduate school was invaluable in this industry,” Greene said. “Working independently, producing and defending a thesis, and collaborating with professional engineers and doctors prepared me well for the various challenges I’ve faced throughout my career.”
Greene spent much of her early career working at Southern Company and its subsidiaries, where she assumed various leadership positions throughout her time there. In 2007, she joined the Tennessee Valley Authority as chief financial officer and chief risk officer. Greene returned to work at Southern Company as president and CEO of its subsidiary Southern Company Services, Inc., in 2013.
“We are obviously very proud of Kim and the way she continues to represent UAB and the School of Engineering,” said UAB Provost and former School of Engineering Dean Linda C. Lucas, Ph.D. “She has built an amazing career, and we continue to expect great things from her as she returns to Birmingham in her new role as executive vice president and chief operating officer of Southern Company.”
Greene was one of six individuals inducted at the ceremony held at the Bryant Conference Center in Tuscaloosa.