As both a CEO and a journeyman lineman at Southeast Colorado Power Association (SECPA), I have the unique privilege of seeing firsthand what it truly takes to keep the lights on for our members. I’ve stood at the top of a pole in the middle of the night with the wind cutting through heavy gloves, and I’ve also sat at the board table making decisions that support the men who do that work every day. Few roles offer that full circle perspective, and it’s one I carry with deep respect and gratitude.
In April, we pause to recognize the brave men who make reliable power possible every single day — our linemen.
When storms roll across our service territory and outages occur, most people understandably experience the inconvenience. Our linemen, however, see a call to action. I’ve seen firsthand how quickly a quiet evening can turn into mobilizing crews, loading trucks, and heading into challenging conditions. Family dinners are left unfinished. Sleep is put on hold. Plans are postponed. Our crews are always ready when it matters most, working through the night and in all kinds of weather to restore power safely and as quickly as possible.
That readiness doesn’t happen by accident. It comes from rigorous training, years of hands on experience, and an unshakable commitment to serving others. As a journeyman lineman, I know the discipline this trade demands. As CEO, I know the level of trust our members place in us. Both roles remind me daily that safety, preparation, and teamwork are non negotiable.
What makes our linemen especially remarkable is that they aren’t just restoring power to a system — they are restoring power to their own communities. They live here. They raise their families here. They attend the same churches, shop at the same stores, and cheer in the same school gyms. They understand that electricity is more than a convenience. It powers our farms and ranches, keeps local businesses operating, supports our schools, and ensures emergency services can respond when needed. Keeping the lights on here is personal.
Electric cooperatives like SECPA were built on the principle of neighbors helping neighbors, and our linemen embody that spirit every day. They are often the first to respond and the last to leave, working long hours behind the scenes with little recognition. At times, serving our neighbors also means stepping beyond our own territory through mutual aid. When major outage events occur, SECPA crews stand ready to assist neighboring cooperatives sometimes just down the road, and sometimes across state lines. I’ve seen the pride our crews take in representing SECPA wherever they go. That spirit of mutual aid strengthens every cooperative involved and ultimately benefits the members we all serve.
We understand that any time the lights go out, it can be frustrating and disruptive. We are sincerely grateful to our members for your patience, understanding, and words of encouragement during those times. Linework is demanding, physical, and at times dangerous. Our crews approach each job with a sharp focus on safety and a reliance on one another. They take pride in their craft and in the trust you place in them. The dedication and sacrifice of our linemen deserve year round recognition. They are the backbone of our cooperative and the reason we are able to fulfill our mission to serve.
TO OUR LINEMEN: Thank you for your hard work, your readiness, and your unwavering commitment to the communities we call home. It is an honor to stand beside you in the field and in leadership, and I am profoundly proud of the work you do every single day.
Mark Hall is the CEO of Southeast Colorado Power Association, a electric distribution cooperative based in La Junta, Colorado.
