• Born in 1965 in Laconia, New Hampshire.

• Married to high school sweetheart, Sheila, for 21 years and has three children — Nicholas, Zachary and Abby.

• Worked for his family's logging business before becoming a lineman.

• Enlisted in the army following high school graduation, served four years in the military, and was stationed in Korea and Fort Polk, Louisiana.

• Enjoys hunting, fishing and spending time with his family.

Early Years

When I got out of the army, I went to work at the New Hampshire Electric Co-op. When I was 23 years old, I was a meter reader. I appreciated my job, but I was hoping for an opening on the line crew as soon as possible. Three months after I got hired in 1989, I joined the line crew and worked for a year and a half until the company went through a layoff. Fortunately, 10 months later, I got hired back and have been there ever since. I have been in the utility industry for 19 years now.

The Job Today

I'm a lead lineman and run the underground crew. I work with one other lineman to install underground cable and transformers, do terminations and run the service wires. We provide power to the people. The construction crew digs the ditches and lays the conduit, and we do the inspections and build whatever we need to, whether it's a 65-lot subdivision or a four-lot cul-de-sac. Overall, our co-op employs 230 workers and has 76,500 members. We are in 110 communities and cover from the northern tip of New Hampshire to the southern end. I work from 7 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. on a normal day, but that can change at the drop of a hat. There are a million variables. Every five weeks, we have to go on call, and the phone can ring anytime day or night.

Close Call

When you hear of an accident that affects one of our linemen or coworkers, it hits hard. Back in the ice storm of 1998, a very close coworker got seriously hurt. He was clearing a tree that was heavily laden with ice from the line, and it exploded, broke his neck and severed his spinal column. He's now a quadriplegic and in a wheelchair. It was an eye opener. Every one of us has to reflect on that every day — just how dangerous the job really is.

Safety Matters

There are so many precautions we have to take now when working underground. Sometimes when I'm under the gun, I have to remember to abide by the safety guidelines. If I don't follow one particular guideline and decide to go around it, I may not be able to go home when the day is done.

Brotherhood

We can go weeks at a time working 20 or 30 hours of overtime because the storms are falling just right. When it subsides, you realize that you spend more time with the guy in the truck than with your family. The reward is the bond that you can make with your coworkers. The guys I work with are, by far, the best group of guys that any utility company could ask for. They have the best work ethic, they're top notch, and they make the customers and members a priority.

Well-Earned Appreciation

I was named the first-ever Huskie Tools Hero earlier this year, and the recognition has been somewhat overwhelming. Really, for the most part, I'm just like all the other guys. Any one of the men who I work with in the crew could be in this role right now.

Loving the Life of a Lineman

My family was all loggers, and I was brought up working outside. I can't imagine myself doing an inside job or doing anything other than line work at this stage of my life.

If you know of a field member in your company who has made a valuable contribution to the industry, please contact Amy Fischbach at amyfischbach@gmail.com.