Lineman Appreciation 2026

    At some point in their childhood, a lineman probably heard his mom call, “Come in out of the rain.” Fortunately for the rest of us, they did not listen to their mom. I’m talking about the linemen who keep the power flowing to all of us no matter the weather. 

    They prefer working outdoors to sitting in an office. They aren’t afraid of heights; they dutifully push past the physical and mental demands of it. Whether it be under a blazing sun or in a bone-chilling wind, they persevere. They are certainly a different breed; linemen work hard so we can fulfill the simple need to wake up in a warm home each morning. 

    This month, we pay our respects to these hardworking people. Missouri Lineworker Appreciation Day is officially recognized on the second Monday of April each year to honor the dedicated professionals who maintain, repair, and restore the state’s electrical infrastructure. Established by state statute, this day highlights the hazardous work and contributions of lineworkers in Missouri. 

I wish everyone could have the opportunity to watch them work. They’re so dedicated and efficient at what they do, it would be hard for an observer to realize how dangerous it can be. 

    The teamwork it takes to make operations successful is admirable. A lineman who needs to tighten a bolt sticks out his hand and another lineman places the proper tool in it without either one saying a word. Materials are sent up the pole and positioned at the lineman’s feet ready for the next step before they’ve even asked for it. 

    It’s incredible to watch these guys in action when nature works against them. When a major storm brings down poles that were set only a few years earlier, it feels like hard work is undone in just a day. It’s a lineman’s personal mission to make sure nature doesn’t have the final say.

     Linemen are the binding force that holds the Cooperative together and keeps our community lit. They are the first responders who go out when the rest of us shelter inside. I’ve seen them skip supper to work just one more half hour to restore power to another home, only to stay an extra hour when two more homes are waiting behind it.

    Recently, 18 members of our teams traveled to Mississippi and assisted after the ice storm. Working away from their home, family, and coop, they assisted where they could, knowing that one day they might need to have that favor returned. This team went specifically for hanging fiber and restoring internet to those affected. 

    A special thank you, Derrick, Logan, Trent, Anthony, Seth, Shannon, Matthew, Ken, Dustin, Cody, Austin, Mike, Zach, Jared, Shawn, Joel, Max and Dylan for working long hours. 

    Keeping our linemen healthy, safe and letting them know they are valued here at our Cooperative and in the community is our main goal. We know they appreciate your kind comments on our social media posts and when they are out restoring power. But the best tribute you can pay to these hard workers is to help us help them. Things like proper safety protocols for generators and slowing down around utility work. 

    When you see a “Utility Work Ahead” sign, remember there are sons, fathers, husbands and friends on those poles. It’s dangerous work even on good days. They need to know you will slow down and be extra cautious while they do their jobs. 

    You can count on them to make repairs whether the sun is shining or not. Let’s all do our part to keep them safe so they can return to their families the same way they left in the morning.

Current Operations Staff:

Shawn Lipscomb (Operations Manager)- 31 years 9 months

Aaron George (Line Superintendent) 24 years 4 months

Jane Humphrey (Operations Support)- 12 years 7 months

Randall Martin- 14 years 11 months

Tony Martin- 38 years 2 months

Anthony McCance- 4 years

Derrick Otto- 15 years

Craig Rivera- 47 years 5 months

Bradley Robbins- 13 years 9 months

Trenton Schroeder- 4 years

JR Scott- 24 years 10 months

Jimmy Vineyard- 21 years 3 months

Austin Beam- 4 years 9 months

Jared Byrd- 3 year 9 months

Michael Candee-15 years 7 months

Zach Helms- 4 years 9 months

Seath Kelley- 10 years

Logan Kellogg- 8 years 5 months

Cody Lawson- 13 years 9 months