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Collin Gades Hired As Apprentice Lineman

Collin Gades Hired As Apprentice Lineman

Gades will work out of the Redfield outpost.
Thursday | December 26, 2019
All News

Collin Gades
Collin Gades​​​​​

Collin Gades has been hired as an apprentice lineman by Northern Electric Cooperative. He will work out of the Redfield shop. He fills the vacancy that was created on the crew by the retirement of David Appel this past summer.

Gades was born and raised in Appleton, Minnesota. He attended South Dakota State University before he transferred to Minnesota State Community and Technical College in Wadena, Minnesota to enroll in the electrical lineworker program.

“I always enjoyed watching the local linemen outside working and fixing and being the ‘heroes’ when the power went out,” Gades said.

Gades said his connection with a local lineman in his hometown reinforced his decision to pursue a career in line work.

“Greg Nelson was the lineman in Appleton who worked for Ottertail Power. I job shadowed him one time doing various jobs that day and touring the Big Stone power plant,” Gades said. “I was always in contact with him about jobs he was doing and the job in general, and I still am to this day. That is what inspired me to be a lineman.”

Gades graduated in May of 2019 and was hired by Northern Electric as a temporary lineworker at the Redfield outpost for the summer. That experience led him to apply for a full-time job at the co-op when there was an opening.

“The experience this summer was busy, and I learned the area and the system,” Gades said. “The co-op is a very good place to work because they focus on safety as the number one priority and having a good group of guys to work with is a bonus.”

Gades enjoys hunting waterfowl, deer, and pheasants. In the summer, he likes to fish and play baseball. His girlfriend, Kierra, is still in college. She is majoring in early childhood education and hopes to move to Redfield following graduation and open a daycare.

Redfield lineman Kenny Swanson, who has worked for the co-op for 32 years, was promoted to line foreman following Appel’s retirement. Gades fills the open position on the crew created by Swanson’s promotion.

 

 

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  • Home
  • Manage Account
    • Apply For Service
      • Request Electric Service
      • New Member Information
      • Forms
    • Billing
      • Pay Your Way
      • How To Read Your Bill
      • Automatic Bill Pay
      • Set Up A SmartHub Account
      • Prepaid Billing
      • Understanding Demand & the Monthly Coincident Billing Peak
      • Billing Peak Times
      • Capital Credits
      • Energy Assistance
  • Rebates & Technology
    • Rebates & Load Management
      • Rebates
      • Buy An Electric Water Heater
      • Electric Heat Rate
      • Load Management
      • Load Management Notifications
    • Technology & Renewables
      • Residential Solar
      • REC Program
      • Electric Vehicles
  • Safety
    • Electrical Safety
      • Call Before You Dig
      • Power Line Safety
      • Farm Safety
      • Winter Safety
    • Emergency Preparedness
      • Storm Center
      • Generator Safety
      • Power Lines and Cars
  • Community
    • Co-op News & Programs
      • 'Cooperative Connections' Magazine
      • News
      • Annual Meeting
      • VIP Tour
      • Co-op Connections Card
      • REED Fund
    • Youth Programs
      • Youth Excursion
      • Youth Tour
      • Scholarships
      • Touchstone Energy Scholar of the Week
  • About Us
    • Directors & Staff
      • About Us
      • Board of Directors
      • Administrative Staff
      • Cooperative Bylaws
      • Employment
    • Cooperative
      • History
      • Where Your Electricity Comes From
      • Cooperative Principles
      • Touchstone Energy Cooperatives
      • Nondiscrimination Statement
      • Accessibility Statement
  • Contact Us