Ed Chalmers

September 15, 2009

After Harding, I attended the Citadel, graduating in 1963 with a degree in Electrical Engineering, then returned to Charlotte, and began my 12 year career in the System Planning Dept., of Duke Power Company, interrupted with a brief tour in the Air Force. These years were most enjoyable, challenging and rewarding while focusing on long range generation planning, with the completion of the Cowan's Ford project and Lake Norman, the Oconee nuclear units and hydro projects on Lakes Keowee and Jocassee in up country South Carolina plus many others, mostly due to the expanding economy of the Carolinas, as our country's mass migration to the "Sun Belt" commenced. Along the way, I completed my Masters studies at what was then, Charlotte College, and NC State in Raleigh, then settled down with Dianne in 1969. In 1973 our oldest, Laura, was born. Laura is now married and has given us the pleasure of our only grandchild and is a part time speech pathologist with a local county school system.

In 1975 I left Duke, joining with 2 other enterprising fellows plus a fantastic girl Friday to establish a new consulting firm in Atlanta, specializing in engineering, operations, management and long range planning for the electric and gas utilities industries. Our timing was most fortunate, with the economy becoming more global as throughout the US and free world, the desire for increased energy sources and consumption grew at a rapid pace. And, our firm grew rapidly too, eventually consisting of over 250 engineers and consultants. Overall, the South benefited greatly from this growth, as more industries chose to move South, away from bitter Winters and better working conditions. Along the way our second daughter, Beth, was born in 1978. After getting her Masters in Social Work at UNC Chapel Hill, Beth now lives in Asheville and is with the 4 Seasons Hospice in Hendersonville, focusing on client and patient consulting and bereavement. And, happily, Beth is getting married in a little over 2 weeks, in a picturesque YMCA mountain chapel in Cedar Mountain, NC.

In 1991, we sold our firm, EMA, to EDS, the computer services firm founded by Ross Perot, though Ross had left the company by then. I left the firm in 1992, gradually migrating to full retirement. It's been a great life and a marvelous career, though we've seen many changes throughout our country and throughout the world.

Often, it seems that each generation that comes along believes that their time is best. I know that I am no different in that regard. It could not have been better! Sure, we had problems and challenges, but we had a kind of friendship with other classmates and fellowship that is a lot harder for young people to achieve today. Nor did we have all the issues that seem to plague public schools now days. School spirits always seemed upbeat, not just during football season, but most all the time.

Academically, I was well prepared, due to fair, but demanding teachers. Mrs. Rhodes taught me to be effectively creative. Miss Watson taught me how to think logically and systematically and Mrs. Yelvington taught me how to memorize the basics. Coach Harris taught us how to work together and give our best efforts - one might not be the best on the field, but there better not be anyone else trying harder. For that, I didn't struggle trying to balance my time among competing activities in college as many others did.

Thank you Harding and my many and most capable instructors and wonderful classmates and leaders, for all of your efforts, for some of the best times that any guy could ever hope to have!

And, many thanks to you, Bobby Funderburk, for your terrific set up of this web site, making all these contacts possible. And, also to Pam, Manson, Jim, Judy, Buddy and all others for all of your time and efforts to make our big 5-0 one to joyfully remember!