Product Design Engineer 1 - Sustaining

Celebrating 40 years of partnership between Bennett and Southern States at EchoPark Speedway. McDonough, GA (July 11, 2026) - Bennett and Southern States, LLC recognized their 40-year partnership during race weekend at EchoPark Speedway, honoring two Henry County companies whose longstanding relationship has helped power America's electric grid while contributing to the region's economic growth. As the Official Trucking and Logistics Partner of EchoPark Speedway, Bennett featured the Southern States logo on the decklid of Austin Hill's No. 21 Richard Childress Racing Chevrolet in the NASCAR O'Reilly Auto Parts Series race, commemorating four decades of partnership. Bennett hosted a special race experience for both companies' employees, beginning with a pre-race celebration that included a Q&A and appearance by Austin Hill. The ceremony featured remarks from ownership and executives of both companies, including Marcia G. Taylor, Founder and CEO of Bennett, Raj Anand, Executive Chairman of Southern States, David Pittman, President of Bennett and John Paserba, President and CEO of Southern States and closed with the presentation of commemorative trophies. "Southern States isn't just a customer to us, they're family. For forty years, they've trusted us with the equipment that keeps the power on for millions of people, and we have never taken that lightly. Our partnership continues to grow because our core values align, and hard-working people from both companies make it happen every day. I'm grateful to everyone, on both sides, who built this partnership one load at a time." [Marcia G. Taylor, Owner and CEO of Bennett] Headquartered just miles from EchoPark Speedway, Bennett and Southern States have worked together for 40 years to move critical power grid equipment safely and efficiently across the country. Their shared commitment to innovation, reliability, and community reflects the values that have made both companies leaders in their industries. "For four decades, Bennett has been an outstanding partner, who have helped us through supply chain challenges large and small to make sure our customers are satisfied. As the demand for electric power grows, that kind of trust matters more than ever. We are proud to celebrate this milestone and to keep building the future together." [Raj Anand, Executive Chairman of Southern States, LLC] "The whole world is racing into artificial intelligence. But here's what people forget. AI doesn't run on thin air. It runs on data centers, and data centers run on power, more than this country has ever produced. That means the grid has to be rebuilt on a scale we've never seen. New substations, new transmission, bigger and more specialized equipment, reaching more places than ever. Now look at who's standing here to meet that moment. Southern States builds the high voltage equipment that grid needs. Bennett moves it. The very thing that's going to power the future is the very thing these two companies do best. That AI boom is going to carry Southern States and Bennett right along with it." [David Pittman, President of Bennett] "While anniversaries celebrate the passing of time, they are really about people. They are about the individuals who built this partnership, nurtured it, and strengthened it through years of hard work, mutual respect, and dedication. Today's celebration is not only about honoring our past - it is also about looking ahead. As demand for reliable electrical infrastructure and energy solutions continues to grow, strong partnerships like ours will be more important than ever." [John Paserba, President and CEO of Southern States, LLC] The race weekend highlighted the important role local businesses play in supporting the regional economy while providing a national stage to recognize partnerships that have stood the test of time. "EchoPark Speedway was proud to celebrate two companies that have called Henry County home for decades. Their partnership is a testament to the strength of local businesses working together to make an impact both in our community and across the country." [Brandon Hutchison, Executive Vice President and General Manager of EchoPark Speedway] The celebration honored 40 years of collaboration between Bennett and Southern States and reflected their continued commitment to powering the future together. For additional information, please reach out to Kaitlen Jones, Manager of Markering and Communications at [email protected]. About Bennett Family of Companies McDonough, GA-based Bennett Family of Companies is woman-owned, Women's Business Enterprise Council (WBENC)-certified. Through its 14 affiliated operating companies, the Bennett Family of Companies helps arrange integrated transportation and supply chain management solutions worldwide. For more information, visit www.bennettig.com. About Southern States, LLC Founded in 1916, Southern States, LLC is a global leader in high voltage disconnect switches, gas interrupters, and advanced technologies that help protect and strengthen the electric power grid. The company delivers specialized protection and switching equipment, power electronic solutions, mobile grid resilience, high voltage sensors and automation systems and services that enhance asset protection. Backed by a robust portfolio of patented technologies, Southern States is known for its engineering expertise, manufacturing capabilities, and ability to deliver customized solutions for complex power system challenges. As the cornerstone company within Southern States Investment Holdings, the company contributes to the development of a modern, more resilient electric grid across North America and worldwide. About EchoPark Speedway EchoPark Speedway is a premier entertainment venue located about 30 miles south of Atlanta, Ga. Since 1960, EchoPark Speedway has been a staple of the NASCAR calendar and currently hosts two weekends of racing in the spring and fall each year. When NASCAR isn't in town, EchoPark Speedway's versatile facility hosts an assortment of events that attract visitors from near and far, from Monster Jam to the Georgia State Fair and everything in between. For more information on EchoPark Speedway and to see upcoming events at the facility, visit www.EchoParkSpeedway.com.

Southern States LLC has partnered with SkySafe to integrate drone detection and airspace intelligence into its Layered Airspace Protection Strategy for critical energy infrastructure. The collaboration follows passage of the US Congress Safer Skies Act, enabling critical infrastructure sites to better address drone threats. SkySafe's cloud-based platform will provide real-time drone identification, flight path history and operator location awareness across substations, generation sites and transmission corridors. The system delivers persistent airspace monitoring and compliance-ready reporting aligned with NERC Critical Infrastructure Protection standards. The partnership addresses growing drone activity near critical infrastructure, which poses risks to grid resilience and regulatory compliance. Southern States, founded in 1916, specialises in high-voltage equipment and grid protection technologies. SkySafe provides airspace intelligence through its drone detection and analytics platform.

Southern States enhances Layered Airspace Protection Strategy with skysafe's drone detection and airspace intelligence. Partnership integrates real-time drone detection and compliance-ready airspace intelligence for law enforcement and utilities preparing to defeat terrorist drone threats as part of the Safer Skies Act. Mar 5, 2026 HAMPTON, Ga. and SAN DIEGO, March 05, 2026 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) - As unauthorized drone activity surges near critical infrastructure nationwide, Southern States LLC and SkySafe today announced a strategic partnership to deliver real-time drone detection and airspace intelligence purpose-built for America's energy sites. Southern States have spent more than a century protecting the infrastructure that powers its communities," said Melissa Swisher, Chief Revenue Officer of SkySafe. "By integrating our drone detection and airspace intelligence platform into their Layered Airspace Protection Strategy, we are delivering persistent airspace visibility that enables utilities to detect, analyze and act with confidence." Following passage of the Safer Skies Act by the U.S. Congress, law enforcement and critical infrastructure sites can now catch up to drone technologies and move forward to better protect its country. This collaboration integrates SkySafe's advanced drone detection platform into Southern States existing Airspace Awareness product line, providing utilities with airspace visibility into drone activity over substations, generations sites, and transmission corridors. The announcement comes at a time when utilities face heightened scrutiny under NERC Critical Infrastructure Protection (CIP) standards and continued oversight from the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission (FERC). Drone incursions, whether for reconnaissance, disruption, or malicious intent, present a growing risk to grid resilience and regulatory compliance. Traditional physical security measures were not designed to address low-altitude aerial threats. SkySafe's cloud-based drone detection platform enhances Southern States' existing solution by providing real-time drone identification, flight path history, and operator location awareness. Utilities can distinguish authorized drones from unknown aircraft, document incidents with audit-ready logs, and respond faster to emerging threats. "Drone activity and terrorist threats around critical infrastructure are no longer hypothetical; it is happening," said Patrick James, Director of Grid Security Solutions at Southern States. "By integrating SkySafe's drone detection and airspace intelligence into our portfolio, we are giving utilities the visibility and tools they need to protect essential grid assets and strengthen their compliance posture." Utilities must now account for aerial exposure as part of a comprehensive security strategy. The Southern States-SkySafe solution supports that need by: * Delivering persistent airspace monitoring across high-value energy infrastructure * Identifying drone make, model, and telemetry in real time * Enabling operator location awareness to support rapid response * Generating compliance-ready reporting aligned with NERC CIP requirements * Reducing operational disruption risk through early detection of reconnaissance activity For utilities operating in an environment of increasing geopolitical tension and domestic infrastructure threats, persistent airspace awareness is emerging as a foundational component of grid protection. The partnership reflects growing recognition across the energy sector that modern infrastructure protection requires dedicated drone detection and airspace intelligence capabilities extending beyond traditional ground perimeter security. Together, SkySafe and Southern States are expanding their footprint across critical infrastructure, delivering real-time airspace visibility that provides energy operators with actionable insight into aerial activity. About SkySafe SkySafe is the global leader in airspace intelligence, delivering unmatched visibility into drone activity. As the only company offering advanced drone detection, deep analytics, and forensics, SkySafe enables organizations to identify, track, and understand real-time drone activity with precision. Its cloud-based SaaS platform provides comprehensive drone data, helping distinguish between authorized drones and potential threats. By transforming complex drone data into actionable insight, SkySafe empowers organizations to act with clarity and confidence and provides the intelligence needed for smarter decision-making and safer skies. About Southern States, LLC Founded in 1916, Southern States, LLC is a global leader in high voltage disconnect switches, gas interrupters, and advanced technologies that help protect and strengthen the electric power grid. The company delivers specialized protection and switching equipment, power electronic solutions, mobile grid resilience, high voltage sensors, and automation systems and services that enhance asset protection. Backed by a robust portfolio of patented technologies, Southern States is known for its engineering expertise, manufacturing capabilities, and ability to deliver customized solutions for complex power system challenges. As the cornerstone company within Southern States Investment Holdings, the company contributes to the development of a modern, more resilient electric grid across North America and worldwide. Media Contact LaunchSquad for SkySafe [email protected]