Pros
Some of the smartest, hardest working, caring people I've ever worked with were at Southern when I arrived in 1998. They really cared about you when you were recruited to join the institute as a researcher, and wanted to see you succeed because it meant they succeeded.
Cons
They had several re-organizations, and then re-affiliated with UAB which led to major changes in management and mission due to competition from across the street. The SRI BOD was UAB focused, and they have systematically dismantled the once proud organization over the past almost 10 years. While I was consistently promoted, I left when it was clear that the decisions on what the labs would do were not being made at the lab level any longer. I miss the people there, and miss Birmingham as it was one of the nicest places I've ever lived.