the


March - April 2017


Light Post


has carried him through several supervisory positions at Kiamichi Electric Cooperative and away from the rigors of climbing poles. His decision to seek lineman work straight out of high school proved wise. The same holds true today.


B


At Kiamichi Electric and other electric cooperatives, a job as a journeyman lineman is a lucrative career. For an ambitious high school graduate or a young father looking for something other than a desk job, working as a lineman can make a good life.


In Oklahoma, salaries for apprentice linemen range from $40,000 to $55,000 per year. With training and experience, that salary can climb upwards of $75,000 or more, depending on overtime, and includes health insurance and retirement benefits.


ob Owen got his start working on the electric line. Forty years later, Owen's career


PUBLISHED FOR MEMBERS OF KIAMICHI ELECTRIC COOPERATIVE


Build A Good LIfe As A Lineman Dangerous, yes, but consider the pay, benefits and job satisfaction


At Kiamichi Electric, four of the co-op's 16 linemen are 35 years or under. Across the country, electric co-ops are actively recruiting young linemen as aging workers retire. Labor statistics predict the need for linemen will grow by nine percent by over the next five years.


Individuals interested in a career as a lineman should expect to invest in many hours of training. The dangers inherent in high voltage work also require a level head, steady hand, and no fear of heights. Physical strength, endurance and a strong work ethic are a must.


It's not a job to take lightly, but the rewards are plenty. Just ask anyone who's suffered through several days without power. Linemen are heroes and the status is well earned.


For more information on becoming a lineman, please visit https://go.osuit.edu/academics/ construction/high_voltage_lineman or call the


OSU Institute of Technology at (918) 293-4742.


Level Out Seasonal High Bills If summer temps cause your bill to climb, enroll in KEC's levelized billing program and enjoy a more stable bill year round. For more information, please call your co-op at 800-888-2731.


Kiamichi Electric Cooperative 944 SW Highway 2 • PO Box 340 Wilburton, Oklahoma 74578


tele: (918) 465-2338


toll free: (800) 888-2731 FAX: (918) 465-2950


www.kiamichielectric.org email: support@kiamichielectric.org


Hours of Operation Monday-Friday 8 am to 5 pm


24-Hour Outage Hotline (800) 888-2731


CONVENIENT BILL PAYMENT OPTIONS


■ Pay online using our secure payment site at www.kiamichielectric.org.


■ Pay via smart phone, iPad or tablet using our mobile app. Download the free app at www.kiamichielectric.org.


Vintage Lineman


A much younger Bob Owen (left) shows off the muscle that helped him shimmy up electric poles in his first job as lineman for Kiamichi Electric Cooperative. The co-op hired Owens in 1976 fresh out of high school. His recollections as a lineman— possibly Oklahoma's first black electric cooperative lineman— are featured in the March 2017 issue of Oklahoma Living. Forty years later, Owens still works for Kiamichi Electric, but his pole climbing days are over. His career has propelled him through several supervisory positions. These days he serves as manager of maintenance.


To read the feature story on Bob Owen, please visit www.okl.coop/magazine/ archives/ and click on the March 2017 issue.


■ Pay via telephone 24 hours a day using a major credit card at 800-888-2731.


■ Pay in person at Kiamichi Electric, or use our drive-through payment drop box, available 24 hours a day.


■ Pay using the payment kiosk at the following authorized Kiamichi Electric payment locations.


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lives on the


line ■ page 2


solar shines


at kec ■ page 3


sign up for


alerts ■ page 4


easy steps to


efficiency ■ page 5


landscape for


savings ■ page 6


the team that


saves lives ■ page 7


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