CL-October 2024 - 6

POWERFUL CAREERS
" Th ey said if you don't mind being outside, working hard
and being part of a group, this will be a good place for you, "
White recalls. " It checked all the boxes for me. "
Joining the CVEC crew with no prior experience, the
co-op invested time, resources and, eventually, money into
White's development. He began his four-year apprenticeship
through the Virginia, Maryland & Delaware Association
of Electric Cooperatives aſt er just six months.
White is grateful for the confi dence and support provided
by his co-op. " Th ey're willing to put in as much, if not more,
as you're willing to put in, " he says. " Th e more endorsements
you have, the more valuable you are to your employer. " In
addition to obtaining his commercial drone license, White
is also certifi ed as a crane operator and holds a commercial
driver's license.
While he's not on a pole or in a bucket maintaining or
Small Communities,
Big Opportunities
Small-town man making a big impact
in his community
by Jim Robertson, Staff Writer
B
randon White has helped prevent hundreds of
hours of power outages with his bird's-eye view of
the Central Virginia Electric Cooperative system.
A drone hobbyist for several years
and journeyman lineman, White
launched at the opportunity to
obtain his operator's license
and successfully completed the
FAA Unmanned Aircraſt Systems
Part 107 exam.
Born and raised just 5 miles
from the co-op in Nelson County, Va., White grew up working
on a farm and decided aſt er a year that college wasn't the right
path for him and took a job at a local auto repair shop. When
an opportunity as a groundman on a line crew opened at
CVEC, doubling his earnings, White decided to give it a shot.
4 * Cooperative Living * October 2024
restoring power for CVEC members, White can be found
fl ying drones troubleshooting or inspecting the co-op's
infrastructure throughout the mountainous region.
Identifying potential issues like cracked insulators, rotting
poles, broken crossarms and tree limbs allows CVEC crews
to make repairs and prevent service interruptions.
Earlier this year, White had the opportunity to showcase
his skills as a drone operator at the annual Gaff -n-Go Rodeo in
Doswell, Va., the largest regional lineworker rodeo in the U.S.
Competing against his peers from neighboring co-ops and the
U.S. Army, White took home fi rst place. He was proud and
excited to share the moment with his wife and two daughters.
" Th e most rewarding part of my career is the life I'm
able to provide for my family, which is also the hardest part, "
White admits. As expected, the demanding job of a lineworker
has no boundaries when it comes to time. If the power goes
out, they do as well. He wishes
he could be with his family
for every event and gathering,
but he accepts the realization
that with success comes sacrifi ce.
White encourages young
adults who may be like he was
to consider a trade school and
learn a skill or to take a look at their local electric cooperatives.
" Th ere are big opportunities in small communities, " he says.
" Sometimes, you just need to take a leap of faith. "
*
For more information, visit vmdaec.com/powerfulcareers.
co-opliving.com
PHOTOS BY JIM ROBERTSON
http://www.vmdaec.com/powerfulcareers http://www.co-opliving.com
CL-October 2024

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