SPOTLIGHT

Since she was young, Lindsay Bohmwald was captivated by electrical lineworkers and the work they do for communities. She has completed electrical technology and high-voltage courses and found the programs fascinating. She knew right away that this was her passion. Lindsay looks forward to continuing with the courses at LATTC and becoming a lineworker.

Why do you want to be a lineworker?
“My curiosity for lineworkers and the electric industry started when I was young. I wondered what those men are doing up on those power poles. When I decided to study electrical technology, I found electrical transmission a thrilling subject. I was fascinated by how we use step-up and step-down transformers to allow the voltage to flow efficiently to substations, residents and businesses. There was not one class or topic in my electrical major that did not captivate me.”

Safety, integrity and respect are important values at SCE. Which one of these values resonates with you?
“I take safety very seriously in all aspects of my life. While working as a buyer for an emergency manufacturer during COVID-19, I took the initiative and became the safety monitor. I prioritized ensuring the company was stocked with all the necessities to keep our doors open and maintain a work-safe environment. I sanitized all common areas and computers and ensured we implemented safety standards and sanitizer stations throughout the company.”

Nicholas Chavez was personally affected by power outages during El Niño windstorms. The dedication of lineworkers working tirelessly to restore electricity to his community motivated him to pursue a career in the field.

Why do you want to be a lineworker?
“When I was a child, a great storm El Niño, brought powerful winds to Southern California. The wind knocked down power lines in my community. I have never experienced any power outages as extreme and frightening as that. My uncle is a substation operator and explained how lineworkers restore power to our communities in extreme weather. I felt relieved after the men and women worked tirelessly to restore our power. I also gained a sense of lifelong admiration for the work they do. I want to be on a team of lineworkers who constantly keep communities safe!”

Safety, integrity and respect are important values at SCE. Which one of these values resonates with you?
"I have taken precautions at work by wearing proper PPE for a designated project and participating in team safety education and procedures. I protect myself with a hard hat, steel-toe boots, safety glasses and safety gloves. I was responsible for housekeeping my team's work area, participating in team safety meetings and suggestions, and informing colleagues of emergency exits and fire extinguisher locations.”

Robert Gardner has construction experience working on projects of all sizes, including a BNSF railroad in Ripon, California. He hopes to challenge himself, learn a skilled trade and become a lineworker.

Why do you want to be a lineworker?
“I want to be a lineworker to be part of something bigger. I want to test my abilities and learn a skill that will allow me to constantly learn, grow and progress over the years to become a master of the trade. I’ve always looked to challenge myself and believe this is the perfect challenge for a hard worker like myself.”

Safety, integrity and respect are important values at SCE. Which one of these values resonates with you?
"I wear full PPE when I work and never take it off for the most minuscule task. When I do handyman work at home, I wear my safety glasses, gloves and hard hat, just in case. Being safe is the best way to ensure a long, healthy life, free of injuries and ailments.”

Kenneth Hoyd is an experienced truck driver and has learned the significance of having a clean, safe working environment and community. He hopes to bring those same attributes and would like to apply them in his next role as a lineworker.

Why do you want to be a lineworker?
“I am interested in working with electrical systems, troubleshooting problems and maintaining infrastructure. Being a lineworker can bring new challenges and help expand knowledge. I have a high level of respect for lineworkers’ craftsmanship and their many duties and responsibilities. Their ability to pay attention to detail while performing tasks at various heights and weather is commendable. I enjoy working closely with a team to accomplish goals and overcome obstacles. I am committed to safety procedures for my colleagues, the public and my well-being.”

Safety, integrity and respect are important values at SCE. Which one of these values resonates with you?
“One way to foster a work culture of respect is by publicly acknowledging and appreciating the ideas and contributions of my colleagues and the management team. I complimented my colleague on their solution to a complicated problem and emphasized how their solution positively impacted our project’s success. My actions helped recognize my colleague’s contribution and encouraged open communication and participation among team members.”

As a veteran of the U.S. Army, Johnnee Luu is looking to grow his skills as a lineworker. He is motivated to work at Southern California Edison because he shares the same values of safety, respect, integrity and excellence.

Why do you want to be a lineworker?
“I come from a humble background. My immigrant refugee family risked everything coming to the U.S. to pursue a brighter future. We learned to be resilient and had to overcome a lot of challenges. I seek to continuously improve myself and grow with a company that shares my core values on safety, integrity and respect.”

Safety, integrity and respect are important values at SCE. Which one of these values resonate with you?
“When I was deployed to Qatar while serving the United States Army, I was instructed to get flight clearances for multiple countries and quickly provided them. After the plane was en route, I reviewed the clearances again and noticed one country missing on the route. Hastily, I rushed over to file the missing clearance with the operator on time and immediately reported this to my commander. From that point on, I learned a valuable lesson to review all procedures thoroughly before execution. I also shared this with my team as a learning experience to avoid compromising our missions.”

Bryy Marriott knew from an early age she wanted to be a lineworker. She grew up admiring her father, who is an electrician. His dedication and the importance of his role inspired her to pursue this career. In addition to her drive, Bryy has learned to be a team player during her time in the military and construction. She hopes to make a positive impact within the community as a lineworker.

Why do you want to be a lineworker?
“I want to bring people peace of mind when they see the trucks coming down the road, whether their power is out because of a major storm or for routine maintenance and upgrades. The job requires a sharp mind and quick reflexes. Although it is hazardous, the work must be done — and I’d love to be the person doing it.”

Safety, integrity and respect are important values at SCE. Which one of these values resonates with you?
“Respect takes on many meanings while working. It’s about being mindful, listening to instructions and recognizing those who are doing a good job. One of my coworkers had a brilliant idea about rigging a pulley system to move materials to the second floor of a building. It saved us so much time instead of having to carry them up the stairs or use the elevator. Showing them appreciation is part of what makes us better.”

Alan Martinez is an active member of his community. When he’s not busy working, he can be found volunteering at his church or leading his local soccer team to victory as team captain. He cannot wait to be the first of his family and friends to be a lineworker and continue his work of helping others.

Why do you want to be a lineworker?
“When I become a lineworker, I’ll continue my mission of giving back and helping those in my community. I’ve heard stories of lineworkers who worked in unimaginable environments to restore power. Their stories inspired me to pursue a line trade career and to be a part of a strong camaraderie in the IBEW.”

Safety, integrity and respect are important values at SCE. Which one of these values resonates with you?
“Injuries don't just happen on the road or at work. They happen at home, too. It can range from leaving sharp kitchen utensils unattended or leaving the stove on. We tend to disregard these situations because the idea of getting hurt doesn't cross our minds when at home. To achieve an injury-free household, I make a habit of taking a routine walk around for any dangers. By diligently preventing potential hazards at work and at home, we can keep each other safe.”

Joseph Micallef has experience as a field supervisor, reading utility sub-meters and providing billing services for multi-unit properties. With a history of leadership roles, he is eager to learn valuable skills and advance in a lineworker career. He looks forward to working in a team environment and providing for his community.

Why do you want to be a lineworker?
“I would love to become a lineworker because I thrive in high-pressure situations. I’m a team player and know that I can get the job done. And I want to help provide an essential service to my community.”

Safety, integrity and respect are important values at SCE. Which one of these values resonates with you?
"At my current job, I work in all types of weather in the field. I ensure I am properly hydrated in the heat and know how to identify signs of heat stroke to keep myself and my team members safe. During rainstorms, I make sure to wear proper PPE to reduce the risk of any incidents. When I perform utility meter swap-outs for my most recent job, I make sure to wear the proper PPE, test lines for any leaks before and after install and inspect equipment to ensure equipment is not tampered with.”

After eight years in the U.S. Marine Corps, Desmond Raphael is eager to implement his teamwork skills as a lineworker. He has already started his journey as a groundman for the past year and is dedicated to continuing this career. Applying hard work and knowledge to keep the community safe makes Desmond proud to further his journey in the lineworker field.

Why do you want to be a lineworker?
“I want to be a lineworker because I enjoy the intricacy of the trade and the opportunity to be a part of a crew that serves the community. As I began working in the linework trade as a groundman, I quickly found that the community and mentality are similar to the military. The complexity of the work itself forces me to continue to learn and improve. Furthermore, the demand for cohesion as a unit encourages me to work hard to assist my crew.”

Safety, integrity and respect are important values at SCE. Which one of these values resonates with you?
“While working in Angeles National Forest digging holes for new poles, we had to find a way to transfer all equipment from one structure to another in the least number of trips. A crew member devised an efficient method and shared it to the team. Once everything was completed, I complimented his approach and encouraged him to mention additional ideas he had in the future.”

Linda Reach is no stranger to working in a male-dominated industry. Her prior work in security made her adaptable and unafraid to stand out. After working as a traffic control flagger, she is well prepared for challenges she will face in a new field. Linda is passionate about community service and wants to bring reliability and safety to homes and businesses as a lineworker.

Why do you want to be a lineworker?
“Working outdoors, solving daily challenges and fostering camaraderie and pride in serving the community fills me with purpose and excitement. Experiences in male-dominated industries have shaped my journey to becoming a lineworker. Adapting to physical demands and making decisions under pressure has strengthened my resilience. Working in rugged terrain, I've developed the stamina and strength needed for demanding tasks and ensuring safety in busy work zones.”

Safety, integrity and respect are important values at SCE. Which one of these values resonates with you?
“Being the event coordinator for the annual Cambodia Town Parade and Culture Festival has allowed me to collaborate with people of varying ages and backgrounds and foster creativity. Introducing innovative ideas to older committee members was initially challenging. Through persistence and communication, I gained their support by showing the importance of navigating intergenerational dynamics. Adapting my approach to younger committee members boosted the event's success with the increased collaboration.”

Viliamu Taafua has a passion for being a part of change and bettering the community. He is a youth leadership advisor at his church where he helps teach the next generation. He also spent most of his early career working for the Department of Motor Vehicles, which shaped him into a customer-oriented individual. Combining these skills, Viliamu is well equipped to make a lasting impact as a lineworker.

Why do you want to be a lineworker?
“I see myself as an SCE lineworker where I can contribute my talents and participate in the energy industry’s future. I enjoy working outside in various settings and using my agility and strength to face any challenge. I love helping others and want to be part of an organization that provides reliable power to residents.”

Safety, integrity and respect are important values at SCE. Which one of these values resonates with you?
“Safety starts with me as a commercial truck driver. Getting a good night's rest ensures I stay alert and awake on the road. Before each shift, I perform a pre-check on my vehicle and trailer to confirm all parts function properly. It is also important to wear safety-approved and comfortable reflective clothing and non-slip shoes. Some pre-trip inspections can seem repetitive and unnecessary to outsiders but following these guidelines can ensure that adverse events are avoided.”

Edward Torruella Jr. is experienced with heavy lifting and working with a crew from his professional work in car hauling. His years as a cable technician have also provided invaluable electrical system knowledge that will prepare him for success as a lineworker. For Edward, becoming a lineworker means he can continue to make his family proud.

Why do you want to be a lineworker?
“As a lineworker, I can improve my abilities, conquer obstacles and lead a successful career. This job will allow me to provide for my family and be a positive role model. It also offers stability and ample opportunities for personal growth as a hard worker.”

Safety, integrity and respect are important values at SCE. Which one of these values resonates with you?
“During college, I learned about the importance of organization and keeping track of schedules. I used to rely on my memory to retain information rather than taking notes. That was until I double-booked myself one week with working overtime and a final. After explaining my situation to the professor, he kindly allowed me to do an extra credit assignment to compensate for the missed parts of the final. Having the integrity to realize my mistake allowed me to learn and adapt from the situation.”