Johnny is a 58 year veteran in the industry and started his career on the hooks back in 1967 with Duke Power. He's held many executive level positions with companies across the USA as well as spending time working with key companies in Australia, New Zealand, Puerto Rico and served with the 101st Airborne in Vietnam.
Johnny says he has never had a bad day since leaving the jungles in Vietnam and has worked to mentor and develop many employees in the industry to achieve their goals and their own level of success!
From storm restoration and high-pressure job sites to mentoring apprentices and building stronger utility crews, Johnny shares hard-earned lessons from years in the field. Whether you’re a journeyman lineman, apprentice, groundman, utility contractor, or someone considering a career in linework, this episode delivers real-world insight into the mindset and leadership required to succeed in the electrical utility industry.
You’ll hear discussions about:
⚡ Leadership in linework and utility operations
⚡ Building trust and accountability on crews
⚡ Safety culture in the electric utility industry
⚡ Mentorship and developing young linemen
⚡ Storm work, teamwork, and field decision-making
⚡ Utility career growth and personal development
⚡ The realities of life in the powerline trade
0:00 - Intro
1:23 - Early Days at Duke
3:42 - Old School Linework
6:41 - Wages Then and Now
11:13 - Moving Into Management
13:54 - Building a New Business
17:55 - Storm Work and Big Bets
23:22 - Leadership Mindset Shift
29:30 - See You At The Top
32:19 - Safety Rules in Blood
39:11 - Combat Leadership Lessons
42:59 - Career Moves And Vision
48:19 - Cancer Fight And Perspective
51:57 - Global Work And Australia Safety
55:40 - Hard Hats And Fall Protection
1:00:55 - Leading With Care
1:05:27 - Respect The Field Crew
1:08:03 - Legacy And Final Thanks
PowerGridTalks brings you real conversations from the people who keep the grid strong — from bucket trucks to boardrooms. If you work in electric utilities, power distribution, transmission, substations, or overhead line construction, this episode is packed with valuable insight from someone who has lived it.
🎧 Subscribe for more conversations with linemen, utility leaders, contractors, apprentices, and industry professionals.
🌐 Visit: https://powergridtalks.com