Ep 3 - Safety, Storms, and the Rodeo: Lessons from Lineman Jason Novak, Founder of Climbin' For Kids
PowerGridTalks: From the Bucket Trucks to the Boardrooms
Release Date: 10/01/2025
Ep 9 - Beyond Compliance: How Brent Jeffries Is Redefining Safety in the Electrical Industry
PowerGridTalks: From the Bucket Trucks to the Boardrooms
In this episode of PowerGridTalks, host Thomas Williamson sits down with Brent Jeffries of Bierer Meters / ECOS for a powerful conversation about why true electrical safety goes far beyond rules, checklists, and compliance. Brent shares how safety in the electrical industry must evolve from a policy-driven mindset into a people-first culture of trust, accountability, and leadership. Drawing from real-world field experience, innovation in safety tools, and lessons learned across the utility and contractor space, this episode challenges how safety is traditionally taught, enforced, and measured....
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Ep 8 - Transforming Job Briefings: Building a Proactive Safety Culture with Chad Schimpf
PowerGridTalks: From the Bucket Trucks to the Boardrooms
In this episode of PowerGridTalks, host Thomas Williamson sits down with Chad Schimpf of Ameren Illinois to break down the job briefing. Chad shares how Ameren is transforming job briefings from a reactive, paperwork-driven task into a proactive safety culture tool that empowers crews, builds better habits, and strengthens communication from apprentices to seasoned linemen. We dive into: ⚡ How Ameren redesigned its job briefing process ⚡ Why scoring job briefings leads to better conversations and safer crews ⚡ The role of EEI, the Energy Wheel, and hazard recognition ⚡ How Chad’s...
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Ep 7 - Becoming a Union Lineman: IBEW Pathways, Training & Real Talk with Shannon Davis & Glen Sutherland
PowerGridTalks: From the Bucket Trucks to the Boardrooms
In this episode of PowerGridTalks, host Thomas Williamson sits down with IBEW representatives Shannon Davis and Glen Sutherland for an honest, detailed conversation about what it really takes to become a union lineman. From understanding the IBEW application process to navigating apprenticeships, training expectations, and long-term career opportunities, this episode breaks down every step of the journey. Shannon and Glen share insights on: How to get started with the IBEW What makes a strong apprenticeship candidate Requirements, testing, interviews, and work readiness The realities...
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Ep 6 - Building the Future Lineman: Inside Utility Training with Ray Lawyer
PowerGridTalks: From the Bucket Trucks to the Boardrooms
In this episode of PowerGridTalks, host Thomas Williamson interviews Ray Lawyer, Training Superintendent for a major utility company, to uncover what it really takes to build the next generation of linemen. With decades of field and leadership experience, Ray breaks down how utility training programs, hands-on apprenticeships, and real-world simulation technology are shaping the future of the power grid workforce. Ray shares powerful insights into the evolution of lineworker education, the critical role of safety culture, and how mentorship and teamwork prepare apprentices for life on the...
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Ep 5 - Leading from the Ground Up: Travas Deal’s Journey and the Future of Utilities
PowerGridTalks: From the Bucket Trucks to the Boardrooms
In this episode of PowerGridTalks, host Thomas Williamson sits down with Travas Deal, CEO of Colorado Springs Utilities, to discuss his remarkable journey from the U.S. Marine Corps to leading one of the nation’s most respected public utilities. Travas shares how his background in service, discipline, and teamwork has shaped his leadership philosophy and approach to building a resilient, forward-thinking organization. The conversation covers everything from energy diversification and infrastructure modernization to community engagement,...
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Ep 4 - Topping Out and Stepping Up: What It Takes to Become a Lineman
PowerGridTalks: From the Bucket Trucks to the Boardrooms
In this episode of PowerGridTalks, host Thomas Williamson talks with newly topped-out journeyman Robbie Emery about the dedication, discipline, and drive it takes to become a lineman. Robbie shares his journey from the early days of line school to earning his place on the crew, offering a real look at the challenges and rewards of working in the electric utility industry. They dive into the mindset required to make it through apprenticeship, what “topping out” really means, and how to stay safe, humble, and hungry as you grow in the trade. Robbie also reflects on mentorship, training,...
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Ep 3 - Safety, Storms, and the Rodeo: Lessons from Lineman Jason Novak, Founder of Climbin' For Kids
PowerGridTalks: From the Bucket Trucks to the Boardrooms
In this episode of PowerGridTalks, host Thomas Williamson talks with veteran lineman Jason Novak about the lessons he’s learned from decades in the trade. From starting out having no idea what a lineman was, to becoming a respected foreman at Ameren Illinois and a long-time competitor in the International Lineman’s Rodeo, Jason shares the grit, discipline, and mindset required to thrive in one of the toughest industries. Jason opens up about the evolution of safety practices, the realities of working through storms and outages, the camaraderie of...
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Ep 2 - From Apprentice to Mentor: Jesse McKeral on Linework, Training, and TikTok Influence
PowerGridTalks: From the Bucket Trucks to the Boardrooms
In this episode of PowerGridTalks, host Thomas Williamson sits down with journeyman lineman Jesse McKeral, also known on TikTok as afewclickslow. Jesse shares his unique journey into the trade, starting with a high school youth apprenticeship program that gave him hands-on experience long before line schools became popular. We dive into: How Jesse transitioned from apprentice to journeyman while learning from old-school linemen. Why training and knowledge—not just safety—are critical for the next generation of linemen. The behind-the-scenes story of his TikTok presence, where he...
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Ep 1 - Building OSR and Beyond: Tammy Kent on Innovation, Growth, and Grit
PowerGridTalks: From the Bucket Trucks to the Boardrooms
In this episode of PowerGridTalks, host Tom Williamson sits down with Tammy Kent, co-founder of ATK Energy Group and OneSource Restoration (OSR), to explore her incredible journey through the utility industry. From her early days helping build a company with her husband, to creating OSR from the ground up, Tammy shares the resilience, vision, and grit it takes to thrive in such a demanding field. She shares the origin of linemanbarn.com, the lessons learned from countless storm responses, and the path that led her to co-founding ATK Energy Group, a company focused on innovation and...
info_outlineJason opens up about the evolution of safety practices, the realities of working through storms and outages, the camaraderie of rodeo competition, and the challenges of balancing career and family in a high-demand profession. He also highlights the importance of mentorship, knowledge-sharing, and leadership in shaping the next generation of linemen.