CEO of Electra Grid Solutions Honored for Leadership and Impact in Utility Services

Alabama A&M University alumna Glenda S. Thomas has been recognized by the Birmingham Business Journal as one of the Top Birmingham Women for 2024. A Birmingham native, Thomas graduated from Alabama A&M in 1999 with a degree in accounting and currently serves as the President & CEO of Electra Grid Solutions, LLC (EGS), a premier utility services contractor and Electra Lines (EL), an infrastructure contractor that supports the electric and gas utility market.

EGS and EL have had incredible years, successfully breaking into new markets and providing utility contracting services across the U.S., all under the leadership of Thomas.

Reflecting on her numerous achievements and recent recognition as one of Birmingham's Top Women, Thomas shared her excitement and gratitude for the honor. “I was genuinely surprised when I received the news,” she said. “It's an incredible honor to be nominated alongside so many accomplished women in Birmingham. As a Birmingham native and a proud graduate of Ramsay High School, this recognition is truly a dream come true.”

In addition to leading EGS and EL, Thomas is the chief principal of Thomas & Associates Consulting (TAC), a firm specializing in diversity, business development, and sustainability consulting across various industries. She credits her success to empowering her team and making a lasting impact in the electric utility sector.

“My goal is to provide vision and leadership for my team while creating opportunities for growth that highlight our suite of services,” Thomas explained. “We have cultivated a collaborative environment grounded in integrity and safety. As CEO, it can be challenging to remain patient, especially when progress doesn’t always align with my vision, but I trust my instincts and am committed to making thoughtful decisions. This approach allows me to nurture our team, equip our leaders with the necessary resources, and guide my three companies to reach their full potential.”

Before founding Electra Grid Solutions, Thomas served as the Supplier Diversity Manager for Southern Company. In this role, she played an essential part in supporting diverse suppliers and enhancing the company's presence across the southeast. Her efforts were instrumental in helping small businesses with succession planning, innovation, and implementing best practices within the utility industry. “I’m grateful for my years of experience with Southern Company, and it has prepared me to lead Electra Grid Solutions and Electra Lines,” she added.

Thomas has fond memories of her time on at Alabama A&M. As a student, she was an active member of the Phi Beta Lambda professional business fraternity and the Student Government Association. She continues to give back to the University, returning annually to inspire students through the Youth Motivation Task Force.

“It's always great to return to campus,” Thomas says. “The rich heritage instilled by our founder, Dr. William Hooper Council, inspires me to always strive for excellence and exceed expectations. Every day, I wake up with a mindset to lead with purpose and pursue greatness in everything I do.”

To the future leaders at Alabama A&M, Thomas offers this piece of advice: “Embrace the value of persistence. I began my journey here, and the lessons learned on The Hill can take you anywhere you want to be in life. Never give up on your dreams.”