The narrated version of the final article of the 2024 T&D World Lineworker Supplement, "Problem Solvers," showcases former and current lineworkers and their inventions for the line trade. Part 1 highlights Robert Seekell, who holds seven U.S. patents for his products; James Coleman, owner of Pinnacle Power Services, who partners with his lineworkers on inventions through his design firm, Meta Design Manufacturing; and a journeyman lineworker and inventor of the Hook Holster.

In the near future, look for Part 2, which will feature Bruce Thompson, a retired SCE foreman and owner of Effective Safety Products, who created the StepUp to improve work positioning on poles; and Tim Barat, a lineworker turned inventor and CEO who is helping utilities to monitor their systems for faults and wildfires through his company, Gridware. You can also listen to interview-style episodes featuring Bruce and Tim at linelife.podbean.com or read the full article on the T&D World website.

For the Line Life Podcast, we are continuing our International Lineman's Rodeo Week series with a focus on Trade Night and the International Lineman's Rodeo. The night before the big competition, lineworkers and their families swap shirts and stories during the annual Trade Night and BBQ. The next morning, they head to Bonner Springs, Kansas, to compete in the pole climb, hurtman rescue and two mystery events. By listening to the episode, you can hear the voices of lineworkers at Trade Night and the competitors and supporters on the Rodeo grounds.

For more Rodeo coverage, stay tuned to the T&D World website and check out the December print issue of T&D World magazine, which features articles about the 2024 International Lineman's Rodeo Week. Thanks for listening!

For our latest audio story in our ICYMI series, we are featuring a narrated version of the third article in the 2024 T&D World Lineworker Supplement, "Lineworkers to Leaders." This article explores how lineworkers can make the move from the field to the corporate world by owning their own companies or rising into executive management.

The story highlights Aaron Palmer of AMP Utility Company, LLC; Tim Greenwood of Powerline Construction Services, LLC and Patrick Smith of Ameren Illinois. It also offers Chad Dubea's eight tips for launching a successful business in the line trade and Smith's advice for aspiring executives.

To read the full article on the T&D World website, click here.

The International Lineman's Expo brings vendors and lineworkers together on the show floor at the Overland Park Convention Center. Lineworkers can try out new tools and technologies and voice their opinions on what works and doesn't work regarding products for the line trade. For 2024, the event had a record number of exhibitors, which showcased everything from workwear and PPE to power tools and more.

This episode features the voices of Sam Posa, sales manager for Endeavor Business Media, who works with the exhibitors at the Expo; Scott Woodruff, an apprentice at Eversource Connecticut who was attending Rodeo Week for the first time; Greg Holmes, formerly of Huskie Tools, the sponsor of the Line Life Podcast; and Bruce Thompson, a long-time Rodeo competitor and new exhibitor at the Expo.

For more information, check out a video and photo gallery from the Lineman's Expo, and look for Part 3 of this series to air soon for the Line Life Podcast. We will also feature 2024 Lineman's Rodeo coverage in our December 2024 print magazine and on our website.

For the second part of the audio story, "Lighting the Way for the Line Trade," from the 2024 T&D World Lineworker Supplement, we are featuring more lineworkers who are making a difference in their communities.

By listening to the episode, you can learn about Chad Dubea, the founder of the Fallen Linemen Organization, who was recently inducted into the National Lineman Hall of Fame. You can also hear about Melissa Dawe, who is not only an apprentice lineworker, but also a volunteer firefighter. Finally, you can listen to how Paul Koehler and Jason Novak, journeymen lineworkers for Ameren Illinois, are raising money for St. Jude Children's Research Hospital through Climbin4kids. At the end of the episode, we feature an interview with Paul and Jason at the 2024 International Lineman's Expo and include ways you can donate your time and talents to support the causes and give back. Read the full story on the T&D World website.

Every year, the International Lineman's Rodeo Association (ILRA), in partnership with its sponsors, presents a free one-and-a-half day Lineman's Rodeo Safety and Training conference for attendees. This year, the speakers focused on the importance of staying hydrated, recognizing the dangers of heat stress and being situationally aware.

During this episode, you can hear from a few of the ILRA organizers and presenters of the 2024 conference. For more information, stay tuned to T&D World's website in the near future to view a photo gallery and videos from this event. Lineworkers, thanks for staying safe out in the field!

For the first part of our audio story, "Lighting the Way for the Line Trade," in our ICYMI series, we are featuring two volunteer projects involving lineworkers: Light Up Navajo, sponsored by the Navajo Tribal Utility Authority and American Public Power Association, and the NRECA electrification project in Guatemala.

By listening to this episode, you can hear how two lineworkers: Arthur William Muñoz of Salt River Project in Arizona and Billy Patterson of CKEnergy Electric Cooperative in Oklahoma donated their time and talents to help provide first-time power to communities both at home and overseas.

Stay tuned to Part 2 to hear the stories of Chad Dubea, Melissa Dawe, Jason Novak and Paul Koehler and how they are lighting the way for the line trade.

Stop by T&D World Booth #73 at this week's International Lineman's Expo to pick up your copy of the 2024 Lineworker Supplement to read this story or check it out online. Also, swing by the booth to participate in a live podcast recording, and we will feature you on a future episode. Line Life Podcast listeners, we look forward to seeing you in Kansas City for Rodeo Week!

Hurricane Helene hit the southeastern United States just two weeks before Hurricane Milton made landfall in Florida. For this special episode of the Line Life Podcast, listen to lineworkers and field managers for Duke Energy talk about the storm response in the Carolinas from working with helicopters to bringing in a mobile substation and providing power to a VA hospital.

For more information about the storm response to both hurricanes, stay tuned to T&D World's website, which features a photo gallery from the Hurricane Helene restoration and storm updates.

Lineworkers, if you want to be part of a future Line Life Podcast episode about the hurricane response, email us at linelifepodcast@gmail.com. You can also fill out this form to enter to win a new Storm Jaw from Huskie Tools, the sponsor of the Line Life Podcast. Pick up your Huskie Heroes T-shirt in Booth #617 at the International Lineman's Expo and make sure you stop by the T&D World Booth #73. We look forward to seeing you in Kansas City for the International Lineman's Rodeo Week. Stay safe out there!