Southern California Edison and IBEW Local 47
- Born in southern California and has one brother.
- Married and has 15-year-old and 21-year-old daughters.
- Enjoys riding motorcycles like his Harley and dirt bikes and playing in a softball league with his fellow lineworkers.
- Participates in Lineman’s Rodeos.
- Plans to work on future heavy terrain projects, which will involve coordinating with helicopters for pole setting and reconductor and human external cargo (HEC).
Early Years
When I got out of the Marine Corps, I was looking for a good place to work. I knew a utility job would be a very stable job, so I applied and got hired, not knowing anyone who worked at the company. When I first hired on, I worked as a meter reader, and now I’m an electrical crew foreman.
Day in the Life
As a foreman, I'm in charge of a line construction crew with two lineworkers, an apprentice and a groundman for Tulare District. My day-to-day job is to change out poles, transformers and wire. I also do underground transformers and various types of cable. I also enjoy taking on large projects such as circuit reconductors, heavy terrain work involving pole and wire replacements with helicopters and HEC jobs. Another thing I enjoy doing is emergency work such as car hit poles, wire downs, bad cable and other emergency work. Restoring customers power is a very satisfying and rewarding part of my job.
Safety Lesson
In my trade, I hear about guys getting hurt and even killed sometimes from a careless moment and sometimes from things beyond their control. I try to do what I can to keep my crew and myself safe each and every day no matter what I’m doing. Safety is of the utmost importance.
Memorable Storm
I have worked fires, floods, snowstorms and other types of storms. The most memorable one was Hurricane Sandy in New York in 2012. We were flown out by the Air Force in huge plans called C5s with our bucket trucks, line trucks and our equipment in the plane with us. We worked in northern New York and New Jersey. I remember working in the town of Ramsey where people were out of power for weeks before we got there. The devastation was catastrophic. We were there for three weeks, and when we finally got the power restored to the area, the people where so grateful. I'll never forget what a difference you can make by doing something as small as restoring their power.
Tools and Technology
I can’t live without my climbing gear like my hooks and belt. In today's day and age, we also use helicopters to make our job easier. We have hot arm trucks and a lot of battery tools, which we didn't have back in the day. At one time, everything was done with hand tools and crimpers. I think the new technology helps us to save our bodies, have longer careers and not be so beat up when we make it to retirement.
Future Plans
I would definitely do it all over again. I love what I do and wouldn't change my path for the world. I don't see myself doing anything else and retiring a union lineman and foreman someday at a ripe old age.
