The Line Life Podcast

ICYMI: Inventing Tools to Solve Field Challenges

At Salt River Project, the transmission group strives to work smarter, not harder. After identifying tasks in pole maintenance and construction with room for improvement, JD Newham, transmission group supervisor for SRP, worked with LineWise, a product development company, to invent specialized tools to help the line crews improve productivity and safety. Read the full story published in the Electric Utility Operations section of T&D World magazine here. 

Working on the Line in Illinois: Featuring Milton Draper from Ameren Illinois

Milton Draper, a journeyman lineworker and foreman for Ameren Illinois, married into a family of lineworkers. After working in the construction industry, he has worked in the line trade for the last 15 years, and he currently runs a three-member crew with two apprentices. He also divides his time between his work in the field and mentoring the next generation of lineworkers at the training center. In addition to being a lineworker, he has also been married for 15 years and is the father of two children: Preston (9) and Vivienne (6). His son, Preston, is also featured on this episode of the Line Life Podcast. 

ICYMI: Lineworker Supplement: Rodeo Flashback

In this ICYMI episode, three top journeyman teams share their tips, techniques and memories from years of competition at the International Lineman's Rodeo. The event, which will mark its 40th anniversary in 2024, gives lineworkers and their families the opportunity to come together to celebrate the line trade. Listen to this Line Life Podcast episode to learn more about:

• Two-Time Champs: the Southern California team of Ramon Garcia, Jacob Lybbert and Wil Robinson
• Florida Trio: the JEA team of Robert Hess, Michael Corbitt and Brian Gregg
• Carolina Competitors: the Duke Energy team of Sandy Barnhill, Jay Tipton and Keith Griffin

For more information about the Lineman's Rodeo, check out the website. We look forward to seeing you this October in Kansas City!

Living the Line Life in Colorado: Featuring Apprentice Kris Onda of CORE Electric Cooperative

Kris Onda, a fourth-step apprentice for CORE Electric Cooperative in Conifer, Colorado, is an International Lineman's Rodeo competitor and the first lineworker in his family. During this episode, he talks about focusing on wildfire mitigation and wildlife protection and servicing his cooperative's members living on cliffs up in the mountains.

He also shares his experiences with the International Lineman's Rodeo, which will celebrate its 40th anniversary in 2024. Learn more at linemansrodeokc.com. Also check out the Spotlight on the Line Trade featuring Kris and Part 1 of our recent Lineman's Rodeo-themed episode, which highlights Kris and other competitors and supporters. 

ICYMI: Lineworker Supplement: Powering Puerto Rico

This narrated version of the third article in the September 2023 T&D World Lineworker Supplement, "Powering Puerto Rico," explores how LUMA's lineworkers are building a next-generation electrical system to increase grid resiliency and reliability. 

The audio story is a follow-up to the two-part Line Life Podcast series featuring Dr. Shay Bahramirad, senior vice president, T&D, Strategy and Sustainability, for LUMA. It is also a precursor to a brand new article, LUMA Embarks on Island-Wide Work Plan," which will appear in the April 2024 issue of T&D World.

To read the online version of the "Powering Puerto Rico" story, visit the T&D World website. 

Lineworker and Training Spotlight: MCC's Susan Blaser and Hydro One's Corry Ruch

This Line Life Podcast episode features two special women who have made their mark on the line trade.

Susan Blaser, the lead line technician program coordinator at Metropolitan Community College-Kansas City, spent 21 years at Kansas City Power & Light (now Evergy) as a journeyman lineworker and in the training department before joining MCC 15 years ago to prepare the next generation of lineworkers for careers in the line trade.

The second interview features Corry Ruch, a power line technician for Hydro One and an International Lineman's Rodeo competitor who has been working in the field for the last 35 years. 

ICYMI: Lineworker Supplement: Training Women on the Line

For this In Case You Missed It (ICYMI) episode, we are featuring the second article in the 2023 Lineworker Supplement, "Training Women on the Line."

This narrated article provides four strategies for electric utilities to attract, train and retain female lineworkers. It also gives tips for women to succeed in the line trade and reflects on the history and future of female lineworkers. 

Click here to read the full story, which appeared in T&D World's 2023 Lineworker Supplement. Also, be sure to check out the Line Life Podcast's four-part "Women on the Line" series on Podbean to learn more about the women mentioned in the narrated article including Joanne Ward, Susan Blaser, Alice Lockridge and Randi Blaser. 

Lineworker Focus: Nick Cummins of IB Abel, Inc.

Nick Cummins, a superintendent for IB Abel, shares his story about working for two decades in the line trade and being the son of a lineworker. He and his father, David "Check Check" Cummins, traveled the country to perform line work. During these projects, Nick learned new strategies and techniques, which he is now sharing with his field crews.