Power Line Worker Program Update December 2025

Power Line Worker Program Update

December 2025

Power Line Worker Cohort #29 Graduation

On November 20, 26 graduates celebrated their accomplishments as a part of cohort #29.

Graduates include (Front row, left to right): Jamie Jamerson (instructor), Mike Costley (instructor), Riley Kelly (Spotsylvania), Brody Hinson (Charlottesville), Jonathan Marion (Farmville), Nick Gray (Powhatan), Andrew Fulmer (White Stone), Ignacio Hernandez-Becerra (Kenbridge), Nelson Velasquez-Monterroso, (Cheaspeake), Evan Springer (LaCrosse), Miles Blankenship (Beaverdam), Logan Clark (Amelia), Devin Nadeau (Virginia Beach), Riley Gaskill (Providence Forge), Nicolas Walton (Moseley) Bryce Dennison (Stewarts Draft), and Clyde Robertson (Instructor)

Back row, left to right: Alex Herring (Blackstone), Ethan Vincent (Midlothian), Colby Jarvis (Lexington), Brycen Baber (Keswick), John Shaw (Matthews), Hunter Pulliam (Halifax), Hunter Young (South Chesterfield), Gavin McDaniel (Crewe), Blake Fisher (Aylett), Ryan Martin (Williamsburg), Ryan Brown (Charlottesville), and Steven Hart (Newport News)

With the completion of Cohort #29, 706 men and women have graduated from SVCC's Power Line Worker Training Program. Thanks to the friends, family members, and companies who have supported these graduates.

Chris Cosby, President and CEO of Old Dominion Electric Cooperative (ODEC) was the graduation speaker. He joined ODEC in 2018 as Director of Asset Management. He has also held the positions of Vice President of Regulatory Affairs and Chief Operating Officer. Prior to joining ODEC, Cosby held positions of increasing responsibility in the utility industry including positions at Dominion Energy, General Electric and Alstom Power.

Prior to his utility career, Chris spent 10 years on active duty in the U.S. Navy as an officer and pilot flying the P-3 Orion. During this time, he deployed throughout Western Europe, South America, Iceland and Puerto Rico.

Chris holds a Bachelor of Science in Mechanical Engineering from the U.S. Naval Academy.

Ignacio Hernandez-Becerra enjoyed having his young nephew in attendance.

During Power Line Worker Classes, lifelong friends are made.

Class Demonstrations

Friends and family enjoy watching as Cohort #29 show off their skills prior to the graduation ceremony.

Colby Jarvis Receives Climbing Higher Award

Colby Jarvis of Lexington is the Cohort 29 Climbing Higher Award recipient.

At each graduation a student is recognized and receives the "Climbing Higher Award". This monetary award is made possible through the generosity of friends of the program.

The recipient will have demonstrated to classmates and instructors traits necessary for a successful career as a power line worker. Such characteristics include:

Pride in their work
Resilience and fortitude
Dedication to the profession
Commitment to safety
Recognizes PLW as more than a career, it is a lifestyle
Has the backs of their brothers and sisters in the field

Recipients of the "Climbing Higher Award" are nominated by classmates and chosen by instructors. Recipient names and pictures are displayed in the PLW classroom.

Upcoming Power Line Worker Classes

Cohort #30 - February 16 - April 30, 2026 DATE CHANGE

Cohort #31 - June 1 - August 13, 2026

Cohort #32 - September 8 - November 19, 2026

Visit our Website for Power Line Updates

Upcoming Fiber Technician Classes

February 2- February 20, 2026

May 11 - May 29, 2026

August 17 - September 4, 2026

Visit our Website for Fiber Updates