Tim
You could say electrical work has been in my blood for most of my life. I started out working summers for a family friend with a small residential electrical contracting business. I started changing light bulbs and climbing into attics when I was 14, and I’m going on 41 years at Windemuller.
Aside from a short stint with another larger electrical contractor, my entire career has been at Windemuller. One of the biggest reasons for my long career here is that the company has always given me a challenging work environment – in the best way. I’ve never been bored.
The Outdoor Utilities department covers everything from trenching/excavating to site lighting, pole line construction, medium voltage work, traffic signal work, athletic field lighting, and more. In addition to construction, we also handle maintenance and service, so that means shutdowns and emergency calls. It is very rewarding when you can restore power to a customer who has a power outage due to storm damage or failed electrical equipment.
When I first started at Windemuller in 1984, I was a parts runner (truck driver) for about a year. Then I joined the line crew and did that for 13 years. Next, came the opportunity to come in from the field and learn the management side of the business, and that’s where I’ve been ever since. Coming inside was a big change for me, but in time I became adjusted to that side of the business. I’m still very much a hands-on guy, and always take an opportunity to get my hands dirty when I get a chance.
If there is something new I can learn, I do it. I’m always learning. And now I’ve started moving into a teaching/mentoring role. My co-workers have become my family and friends. Windemuller has been a great place to work and has always given me an opportunity to grow my career in the electrical field.