‘They want to work’

Michael Jordan was one of — if not the — greatest professional basketball players in the history of the sport. Under his leadership, the Chicago Bulls won six league titles. During the championship runs, when a game was on the line in the closing seconds, his teams had a particular strategy: “Get the ball to Michael; everybody get out of the way.” He rarely failed to deliver.

Not everyone wants the pressure or the challenge of having to deliver when the stakes are high. Not everyone can handle it. The mark of a champion, in any sport or vocation, is someone who wants the ball in his or her hands when the game is on the line. It needs to be someone who can do the job, someone who enjoys it and is confident in his or her abilities, someone who remains calm under pressure.On this month’s magazine cover, Middle Tennessee Electric Membership Corporation’s Jimmy Grant is one of more than 100 Tennessee co-op linemen deployed to Florida and the Carolinas to assist with recovery efforts following Hurricane Matthew. Every co-op employee who answered the call for help was a volunteer (no pun intended) who knew the work would be tough and the conditions challenging. One cooperative in North Carolina that needed assistance told me there was a good chance the men might have to sleep in their trucks because no hotel rooms were available. When I told the assisting co-op about that possibility, the crews remained more than willing to go and help.

On this month’s magazine cover, Middle Tennessee Electric Membership Corporation’s Jimmy Grant is one of more than 100 Tennessee co-op linemen deployed to Florida and the Carolinas to assist with recovery efforts following Hurricane Matthew. Every co-op employee who answered the call for help was a volunteer (no pun intended) who knew the work would be tough and the conditions challenging. One cooperative in North Carolina that needed assistance told me there was a good chance the men might have to sleep in their trucks because no hotel rooms were available. When I told the assisting co-op about that possibility, the crews remained more than willing to go and help.Another thing about champions: They know the value of teamwork. A quote attributed to Jordan was, “Talent wins games, but teamwork and intelligence win championships.”

Another thing about champions: They know the value of teamwork. A quote attributed to Jordan was, “Talent wins games, but teamwork and intelligence win championships.”This was a team effort — across the board. Moving crews long distances requires coordination among all parties involved — from travel plans to having the proper tools and equipment. The cooperatives that provided assistance sent crews of dedicated linemen anxious to help with storm recovery, and each crew member knew the responsibilities. The individual linemen making up the crews also knew they could depend on their co-workers and their equipment.

This was a team effort — across the board. Moving crews long distances requires coordination among all parties involved — from travel plans to having the proper tools and equipment. The cooperatives that provided assistance sent crews of dedicated linemen anxious to help with storm recovery, and each crew member knew the responsibilities. The individual linemen making up the crews also knew they could depend on their co-workers and their equipment.And their work had to be done safely. The work they perform is unforgiving — mistakes can be deadly. Crews have to plan their work and follow all safety rules, especially when working in disaster conditions. Not only are they working in unfamiliar territory, but some homes may be using emergency generators, which, if installed incorrectly, present an electrocution danger to line crews.

And their work had to be done safely. The work they perform is unforgiving — mistakes can be deadly. Crews have to plan their work and follow all safety rules, especially when working in disaster conditions. Not only are they working in unfamiliar territory, but some homes may be using emergency generators, which, if installed incorrectly, present an electrocution danger to line crews.Doing strenuous work for 12 to 16 hours per day and being hundreds of miles from home take a toll both physically and mentally. As driven as these linemen are to get the lights back on, they also want to return safely to their homes and families. That’s one aspect of disaster assistance on which we keep a close watch.

Doing strenuous work for 12 to 16 hours per day and being hundreds of miles from home take a toll both physically and mentally. As driven as these linemen are to get the lights back on, they also want to return safely to their homes and families. That’s one aspect of disaster assistance on which we keep a close watch.During crew transfers, I had an email exchange with Britt Dye, CEO of Fayetteville Public Utilities. His crews were a long way from home and had been working for several days. They were finishing restoration at Clay Electric in Florida. Knowing that help was needed in North Carolina, I checked with Britt to see if his crews were rested and able to travel. His response: “They want to work!”

During crew transfers, I had an email exchange with Britt Dye, CEO of Fayetteville Public Utilities. His crews were a long way from home and had been working for several days. They were finishing restoration at Clay Electric in Florida. Knowing that help was needed in North Carolina, I checked with Britt to see if his crews were rested and able to travel. His response: “They want to work!”Within the hour, the crews were on the road to assist cooperative members at South River EMC in the Tar Heel State. That’s how linemen say, “Give me the ball.”

Within the hour, the crews were on the road to assist cooperative members at South River EMC in the Tar Heel State. That’s how linemen say, “Give me the ball.”