JSU Foundation President Julia Segars Wins 2012 Frances E. Couch Award
03/09/2012
The Frances E. Couch Award honors the memory of a beloved community leader whose contributions had far-reaching impact for the East Alabama area. The award is given to outstanding women who embody unselfish leadership, are committed to community service in East Alabama, and exemplify the ideals of Girl Scouting.
Segars graduated magna cum laude with a bachelor’s degree in journalism from the University of Alabama in 1984. She joined Alabama Power in 1986 as a writer in its public relations organization.
Segars has worked as the company’s chief information officer, workforce development manager, company magazine editor, and media spokesperson during her 25-year career with Southern Company. Today, Segars is in charge of customer service operations and external affairs for a 12-county area of east Alabama.
Segars’ community participation includes serving on the boards of the McClellan Development Authority, the Calhoun County Economic Development Council, Knox Concert Series, The Donoho School, Anniston Museum of Natural History Endowment Board, and the Alabama Institute for the Deaf and Blind Foundation.
The former director of the Girl Scouts of North-Central Alabama is the founding director and current chairman of G.E.T.T. Moving East Alabama, a non-profit organization dedicated to promoting progress across Calhoun County. In addition, Segars is a graduate of the International Women’s Forum Leadership Foundation fellows program and Momentum, a development program for women leaders.
According to the Girl Scouts of North-Central Alabama blog, the most valuable lesson Segars has learned through Girl Scouting and service to the community is, “Goals are more likely to be reached, and the product most definitely enriched, through the contributions of a team with a variety of viewpoints and skill sets. Everyone needs help and has something to offer.”
Photo: Julia Segars (courtesy)