Employee Spotlight: Jeff Ahlschlager, Line Foreman!
This month, we are honored to feature Jeff Ahlschlager, yet another employee who embodies dedication and expertise at Nobles Cooperative Electric. Growing up in the very area he now serves, Jeff's roots run deep within our community. Since joining our team in 1991, he has not only been instrumental in maintaining and improving our electrical infrastructure but has also become an integral part of our entire team.
Jeff’s career path, while unique, has always been guided by a strong sense of purpose. "My dad was a plumber," he shares with a chuckle, "and while I admired his work, I knew it wasn’t my calling." His fascination with electricity sparked during high school when he worked part-time for an electrician. However, he didn’t enjoy working inside people's homes and longed for outdoor line work and the open sky. Growing up in the 1980s, Jeff witnessed the changing landscape of rural life, and while farming life probably wasn’t going to work out for him, he saw the increasing need for reliable electric service. So, he pursued his passion for electricity and ended up graduating from lineman school in 1989, laying the foundation for a career.
After a brief period in Nebraska, Jeff felt a strong pull to return home and found his place at Nobles Cooperative Electric. He fondly recalls his early days: "I was the 'new kid' for quite a while, taking on the less glamorous tasks including alot of shoveling and installing alot of wire." He contrasts his beginnings with the present, noting, "Back then, roles were clearly defined and rarely changed until there was another 'new kid' brought in.
Now, our linemen are multi-skilled and really work together and share responsibilities. Our crews work on everything from overhead to underground installations, single or three-phase setups, and everything in between, whether it's in rural areas or within town limits. They are well-rounded and well-versed in every aspect of the job. It reflects our team's adaptability and commitment."
In 2019, Jeff's experience and dedication led to his promotion to Line Foreman in Worthington. However, he emphasizes that his role, alongside line foreman Rick Leebens, focuses more on coordination and collaboration on projects than traditional management. "Rick handles the initial calls and works on the designs, while I manage talking to the member and taking the written plans and making it into an operational plan that we can execute into action," he explains. "But the real magic happens with our crews. They are self-motivated, adept at problem-solving, and are true team players. Without them, none of this would be possible."
Jeff is passionate about highlighting the technological advancements. "When I began, we relied on manual processes and limited data," he explains. "Now, we utilize advanced monitoring systems that can detect even the slightest flicker on the line, often allowing us to prevent outages before they happen. Although these technological advancements have revolutionized the electrical industry, sometimes the 'old guy' in me struggles a bit to keep up!" The rising demand for larger sized services, driven by contemporary agricultural and residential needs, has also compelled continuous adaptation and innovation. “Over half of our lines are underground now,” Jeff says proudly.
As member needs have grown, so has our cooperative. Our board and leadership are focused on providing us with the most up-to-date technology, keeping us relevant and ensuring we consistently deliver the highest quality service.
What keeps me here all these years?" Jeff reflects. "It's the community. It's the people. Our members are incredibly understanding and appreciative, even during the toughest outages."
He acknowledges the growing reliance on electricity, especially with the surge in remote work, and the team's unwavering commitment to minimizing disruptions. "We often perform 'hot work' or reroute power to keep the lights on," he emphasizes, highlighting the team's dedication to service. Safety is paramount in Jeff's mind as well. "Our job is inherently dangerous," he states, "and we take it very seriously. In fact, we often find that traffic poses a greater risk than the power lines themselves. I think if you asked any lineman what they are scared of the most, it would be keeping everyone else safe around the powerful lines. When we are working around traffic, that is our most nerve-wracking time. We want you to be safe too!”
He expresses heartfelt gratitude for the community's support, sharing instances where members have offered coffee, cookies and words of encouragement during lengthy outage restorations. His experiences assisting other co-ops during larger regional disasters have deepened his appreciation for the unique spirit of Southwest Minnesota, where neighbors come together in times of need.
When asked if he had any advice for members he says, "If you're planning new construction or adding a generator, 'Talk to us early on.' He explains, 'We want to help with your plans and make sure everything integrates electrically, safely and smoothly. We're much more effective when we're part of the conversation from the start.'"
Echoing Rick Leebens's sentiments from last month, Jeff cites the 1992 Chandler tornado and the 1996 ice storms as unforgettable moments in his career as well. He also reminds members to be cautious of seasonal challenges posed by wildlife and agricultural activities around power lines. “Critters can wreak havoc, especially in the spring,” but over the years we are learning as we go on how to put more and more protections against squirrels and birds who just don’t know what they are doing!
Jeff, a devoted husband to Melissa and father to Ben, who follows in his footsteps as a lineman in Mankato, expresses his gratitude. “Thank you to all our members for allowing me to be a part of your lives,” he says. With a touch of humor, he adds, “Despite the hard work and a few new mechanical joints and hips, I plan on sticking around for several more years!”
Planning a new bin site or building? Contact us before you build. We're here to help our members ensure the right, safe electrical systems are properly planned and installed.
