Cooperative Living July 2024 - 6

POWERFUL CAREERS
Service
Through Sacrifi ce
For NOVEC foreman, work is a family aff air
by Jim Robertson, Staff Writer
A
former servant to his country as a U.S. Coast
Guardsman, Kyle Sarvis has served the members
of Northern Virginia Electric Cooperative for nearly
13 years. Th e line crew foreman and his wife, Tristin, have
two children who were excited to cheer for their daddy at
this year's Gaff -n-Go Rodeo.
" Kyle became a lineman six months aſt er we got married, "
says Tristin, whose father also served as a Coast Guardsman.
" I've never been prouder of him. "
Linework is a demanding profession that is accompanied
by many sacrifi ces, including holidays, birthdays and other
milestone events. " As hard as it is for us, it's even harder
for the guys, " says Tristin. " But they're out supporting their
families and strangers' families in times of need. " Th at
includes a power outage on Christmas in frigid conditions,
getting soaked in a three-day rainstorm, and dodging falling
tree limbs in 60-mph winds.
For Sarvis, not a day goes by without his loving wife
worrying. " Th ere isn't a single job they have where something
couldn't go wrong, " she says. Tristin is appreciative of Kyle's
commitment to safety - no shortcuts. As a foreman, his
No. 1 priority is ensuring all crew members return home
safely to their families. He brings that lifestyle home with
him too. Safety is everything.
Kyle Sarvis (left) holds his son, Karsen,
on his shoulders while his daughter,
Beau, is held by coworker Chris
Fasenmyer so they both could be with
their father at the awards banquet
following the Gaff -n-Go Rodeo.
AN ATMOSPHERE OF SUPPORT
Tristin and the kids were at the Gaff -n-Go rodeo this
year to support Kyle. " I have attended at least 10 rodeos, "
she says. " Th e sheer determination and dedication you see
from them is astonishing. Most of the atmosphere there
are wives or family members supporting their husbands,
brothers, fathers, friends or even coworkers. All around
you see pillars of support.
" My son, Karsen, kept saying Daddy was like a monkey
and goes super-fast! And my daughter, Beau, of course,
is such a daddy's girl that she couldn't help but worry.
Th ey cheered for the team and, aſt erwards, wouldn't
leave their side. "
A ROLE MODEL
Working for a cooperative is oſt en described as being
part of a co-op family, and that includes the employee's
spouse and children. Tristin values the relationships she
has with the spouses of Kyle's coworkers.
" Th ere's been times when other wives will reach out
to Kyle for Christmas giſt ideas for their husbands since
they are on the same crew, " she says. " A lot of these women
I've known since Kyle started working. I've seen their
kids grow up. Th ey have seen us before kids and now,
with two and another on the way. "
Finding the right words is challenging for Tristin
to adequately tell Kyle how unbelievably proud they
are to have him. " He's an amazing father who shows
his children what's it's like to work hard, lead without
hesitation, and, if you're not sure, fi nd out the answer. "
Kyle's crew members share her sentiment. Th ey
appreciate his willingness to climb into the bucket
with them and provide as much instruction as possible
regarding new tasks or approaches to those tasks.
Tristin describes the best part of her day as seeing
how her kids' faces light up when they are outside playing,
and they see Kyle's truck pull into the driveway. " Th ey
yell, 'Mommy, Daddy's home!' Watching them literally
climb his legs to get close to him while he has all his
bags in his hands. Still, he holds them, comes to me,
hugs me, kisses me and asks me how my day was. "
*
For more information, visit vmdaec.com/powerfulcareers.
4 * Cooperative Living * July 2024
co-opliving.com
PHOTOS BY JIM ROBERTSON
http://www.vmdaec.com/powerfulcareers http://www.co-opliving.com
Cooperative Living July 2024

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