Power Line Worker Program Update August 2025

Power Line Worker Program Update

August 2025

Power Line Worker Cohort #28 Graduation

On August 14, 2025, twenty eight graduates celebrated their accomplishments as a part of cohort #28. When the last graduate stepped-up he represented the 680th graduate since the program started in March of 2016.

Graduates included (Front row, left to right):Jamie Jamerson (instructor), Mike Costley (instructor), Caleb Owens (Chase City), Ryan Vick (Dyke), Dalton Swaim (Suffolk), Owen Haynes (Gloucester), Christopher Salyers (Barboursville), Zachary Harris (Chesapeake), Dylan Mabe (Appomattox), Bradley Cox (Scottsville), Colby Williams (Suffolk), Christopher Zimmer (Gretna) Bryan Velasquez (Chesapeake), Spiros Reinson (Farmville), Richard Weathers (Lynchburg),

Back row, left to right: Christian Cook (Chesterfield), James Scheid (Mechanicsville), Luke McDaniels (Powatan), Charles Cespedes (Colonial Heights), Jesse Lanzillotti (Powhatan), Braden Drugatz (Fredericksburg), Chris Dooley (Saxe), Bradley Seay (Glen Allen), Chayanne Duarte-Ceron (Ruckersville), Nicholas Hartwell (Rice), Jacob Scott (Mechanicsville), Braucher Sieverling (Arlington), Nicholas Davis (Dinwiddie), Deon'Ta Jones (Lawrenceville), Luke Royall (Amelia)

Graduate Nicholas Hartwell of Rice, VA (left) celebrated with his son and graduate Christopher Dooley of Saxe, VA celebrated with his son and finance. Graduation is always a fun family affair and includes a hands-on demonstration prior to the ceremony.

Casey Logan, President & CEO of Mecklenburg Electric Cooperative (MEC) was the graduation speaker and introduced by Dr. Keith Harkins, SVCC Vice-President for Academics. Dr. Harkins shared with the audience the valuable partnership between MEC and the Power Line Worker Program! In addition to being President & CEO of MEC, Mr. Logan is the chair of the Virginia Maryland & Delaware Association of Broadband Cooperatives and a board member of Old Dominion Electric Cooperative.

Christopher Zimmer Receives Climbing Higher Award

Christopher Zimmer of Gretna, VA receives the Climbing Higher Award from Randy Crocker (left), PLW Training Program Coordinator and Dr. Keith Harkins (right).

Casey Logan was one of the first to congratulate Chris on his achievement.

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.

Salyers Earns Rappahannock Electric Cooperative Scholarship

Christopher Saylers of Barboursville, VA received the Rappahannock Electric Cooperative Scholarship and a big thanks to REC for supporting our students!

Upcoming Power Line Worker Classes

Cohort #29 - September 8 - November 20, 2025

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