Sullivan County Rural Electric Cooperative would like to introduce Kevin Johnson, newly hired first-year apprentice lineman at the co-op.

Kevin recently moved to Forksville with his wife, Shanea, and one-year-old daughter Wrenlee. However, his journey did not begin in our service territory.

Kevin grew up in Minnesota. After graduating high school, he joined the United States Army. His military career took him to North Carolina for three years, then to Italy for three years, back to North Carolina for three years, and finally to Georgia for three years. During this time, he was Staff Sergeant for the 11C Indirect Fire Infantryman. He also had additional duties as Jump Master with the 82nd Airborne Division, served with the 173rd Airborne Brigade, and served as Senior Drill Sergeant at Fort Benning, Georgia. 

During his service Kevin met his wife in North Carolina. They were married in Georgia and moved near her family in Savona, New York. While in Georgia Kevin graduated from Southeast Lineman Training Center. He worked for a local tree crew while in New York, then on November 3 he came to work for SCREC.

“I’m not an office person,” Kevin joked. “I like to do hard work, and being a lineman will keep me on my toes.”

Kevin was particularly excited to join SCREC for its co-op family-oriented lifestyle. “My daughter takes up my whole life, I want to be with her while she’s growing up as much as I can,” he added. Plus, it’s only a two-hour drive to his wife’s family in New York.

During his first week of work the service territory for SCREC was battered with high winds and, at one point, had roughly 3,000 outages. Kevin was able to report for these outages and lend a helping hand. “School prepared me well for situations like this,” he said. “I’m looking forward to gaining knowledge from everyone at the co-op; I’m taking in everything I can!”

Outside of work Kevin enjoys hunting, fishing, hiking, and sports. He’s hoping to take advantage of the local state game lands, forests, and parks. “Now that I can provide stabilization for my family, I’m hoping to get back outside more,” he said. The family also has two dogs, Oden and Diesel.

“Being a lineman still gives me a sense of serving my country,” Kevin commented. He’ll be a great asset to serving our membership!