To prepare for the future, plan for retirements, strengthen the organization and fulfill member needs, PowerSouth has announced changes to its management staff.

Rick Kyle, vice president and chief financial officer, will retire in February 2018 after 39 years of service at PowerSouth. He joined the cooperative in 1979 and was appointed to his current position in 2012. In preparation for his retirement, Beth Woodard will become executive vice president and chief financial officer, and Art Brunson will become vice president of legal and corporate affairs.

“PowerSouth will certainly miss Rick’s contributions, but we wish him well in his retirement,” Gary Smith, PowerSouth president and CEO, said.

Woodard will assume responsibility as executive vice president and chief financial officer in January 2018, where she will oversee the finance and accounting, financial planning, human resources, safety, and buildings and grounds departments. In the interim, Kyle and Woodard will work closely to facilitate a smooth transition.

Woodard joined PowerSouth in 1991 and currently serves as PowerSouth’s vice president of legal and corporate affairs. She earned a bachelor’s degree in corporate finance and investment management and a juris doctor from the University of Alabama. She was admitted to the Alabama State Bar in 1990.

A native of Fort Deposit, Ala., she and her husband, Allen, have two children, Callen and Cameron.

Brunson will assume responsibility as vice president of legal and corporate affairs on Oct. 22, where he will oversee the legal, environmental, compliance audit, and purchasing and warehousing departments.

Brunson joined PowerSouth in 1999 and currently serves as director of legal affairs and compliance. He earned a bachelor’s degree in accounting from the University of Alabama and a Juris Doctor degree from Vanderbilt University School of Law. He was admitted to the Alabama State Bar in 1993.

He is a native of Elba, and is married to Alane Brunson. He has two children, Sydney and Nicholas.

“We are fortunate to have many long-term employees who have made significant contributions to PowerSouth’s success,” Smith said.