MidSouth Electric Cooperative celebrates National Lineworker Appreciation Day on April 18. We honor the hard work, sacrifice and selflessness of our MidSouth EC linemen for their tireless efforts in keeping our power on.
Gratitude and praise are often bestowed upon these essential workers in the form of thank-you notes, handwritten letters, baked goods and pats on the back from co-op members. As much as these tokens are appreciated, it’s the legacy our linemen are a part of that means the most.
Our linemen will tell you how proud they are of the legacy they’re leaving for their families, among their teammates and as part of the larger team at MidSouth EC.
A Legacy at Home
Sometimes, a legacy is a tangible item passed from generation to generation. Other times, a legacy is a set of morals and values that live on through other people.
Most linemen will say it’s their family that keeps them motivated to do the job well. Being a lineman is demanding. It often requires long hours, particularly during emergencies or natural disasters. Linemen often miss out on important events such as birthdays, holidays and school activities. The unpredictability can make it challenging to balance family life.
Jimbo Parrack, a MidSouth line foreman and father of two, is familiar with the challenge. “When I am recalled for a storm or outage, I try to remind my boys that I am leaving to help people,” he says. “I try to model what it looks like to work hard, take pride in my work and help those who are in need.” Linemen leave a legacy of work ethic, pride and community contribution to their families.
A Team Legacy
The legacy of teamwork is foundational to MidSouth EC crews. It’s rare to sit in a room full of personalities and not be able to point out the best team player—the one person who seems to be the glue that holds the team together. However, when the question “Who is the best team player in this room?” was posed to a group of MidSouth linemen, not a single finger was pointed toward a specific person.
“That’s just it. We are a team,” says Larry Finley, the second of three generations of linemen in his family. “We have good mentors, but no one is a better team player than any other. We all look out for each other’s safety and consider each member of the crew like family.”
Linemen deal with challenges related to high voltage, extreme heights, heavy equipment and extreme weather. Teammates work together and communicate effectively to get the job done quickly, correctly and most importantly, safely.
“Anyone on the team can shut down a job if something is off,” says Justin Willis, MidSouth EC operations supervisor.
“It doesn’t matter if they have two weeks of experience or 20 years. Everyone is on high alert to ensure we are upholding all safety standards.”
At the end of the day, communication and teamwork bond crew members and ensure each makes it home at night.
The Legacy of MidSouth EC
MidSouth EC celebrates its 85th anniversary this year. It was electric linemen who originally connected our beautiful, rural area to the power grid.
While the tools, equipment and technology have changed greatly since the 1940s, a lineman’s primary mission has always remained the same—maintain and restore electrical power, even in dangerous conditions and while working long hours.
Your MidSouth linemen are committed to this community and maintain a high standard of excellence when it comes to electric connectivity and safety.
Our linemen continue to leave a powerful legacy. They embody strong work ethic, sacrifice and selflessness. Next time you see a lineman working to keep your lights on, be sure to mention how much you appreciate all that they do.
