03/06/2026
The Andalusia Rotary Club recently recognized Gary Smith and Dale Pancake with its Spirit of Andalusia award.
The Spirit of Andalusia Award was established in 2005 as a means to honor people outside of the Rotary Club who exemplifies the Rotary motto of “service above self.” The Andalusia Rotary Club also honors recipients of this award with a Paul Harris Fellow designation from Rotary International.
Smith has served as president and CEO of PowerSouth Energy Cooperative since 2000.
In recognizing him, Rotarian David Darby cited his generosity to the community, and his commitment not just to PowerSouth, but also to his employees.
“He knows the names of every employee, and he cares about their families and what they do outside of work,” Darby said.
He also credited him with having a part in every major project in the local community.
Smith also serves on the University of North Alabama Board of Trustees, the Business Council of Alabama Board, the BCA Progress PAC Board, the Economic Development Partnership of Alabama Board, the Economic Development Partnership of Alabama’s Foundation Board, the Alabama Port Authority Board, the Southern Independent Bank Board, the Alabama Rural Electric Association of Cooperatives Board, the Florida Electric Cooperative Board, the South Alabama Regional Airport Board, the Alabama Fiber Network Board, and the Alabama CoachSafely Board.
He is chairman of the Southern Independent Bank Board and the South Alabama Regional Airport Board. He has served as chairman of the Business Council of Alabama and chairman of the BCA Progress PAC.
Pancake is the founder of Habitat for Humanity of Covington County, and has led that organization in the construction of 10 moderate homes using volunteer labor.
Ben Bowden, who presented the award to Pancake, said of the honor, “Quite often, we look for the person toiling behind the scenes, doing good without ever seeking any recognition or acknowledgment. I cannot think of anyone who meets that definition any better than today’s recipient.”
Pancake is a Marine veteran of the Vietnam War, and a former member of Peace Corp., who spent eight years in Central America. He moved to Andalusia when he accepted a job at the Dixon Forestry Center in 1984, where he worked until his retirement in 2014.
In addition to his work with Habitat, he is involved in First Methodist Church, where he teaches Sunday School and is active in men’s fellowship. He has led multiple mission trips to Costa Rico.
“There is a saying that I like to call on from time to time, “ Bowden said. “That is, ‘It is amazing how much you can get done if you don’t care who gets the credit.’ Dale lives this saying. But today, we want you to know Dale that we see you and what you stand for.”
