Noble REMC wouldn’t be successful without our employees. To highlight the work that they do, we’ve launched a new series – Lighting the Way – to place a spotlight on those who help the co-op thrive.

“I’m a co-op boy.”

Originally hailing from South Dakota, Line Foreman Rob Hauck didn’t plan to follow in his parents’ footsteps. His mother worked for an REA and his father was a general manager at a co-op lumber yard and fertilizer facility.

“It was just the path I found, I guess.”

His path at Noble REMC started in 2004 as a journeyman lineman, with a transition to staking technician, before becoming line foreman in 2020.

What brought you to our community?

“I graduated with an associate degree in utility line and then I got a job at Northeastern REMC out of college. Worked there a couple of years, and I moved to South Dakota and worked at another co-op, closer to my hometown. Then, I met my wife and came back here.”

What’s your favorite part of your day at the co-op?

“I enjoy the camaraderie of the guys since I don’t have much customer interaction anymore. I enjoyed the customer interaction in staking. It was suited toward me. I can talk my way through about anything.”

What’s something people may not know about your line of work?

“In general, we expect all of our linemen to be able to troubleshoot, fix and do everything associated with being a lineman -— from underground to overhead to substation work. We’re not big enough to have a certain individual just work on substations or just regulators or controllers. We expect everyone to have a general understanding of everything.”

What do you do for fun outside of the co-op?

“I like to tinker. I enjoy trying to fix things. I also enjoy kayaking, fishing, and spending time with my wife and daughter.”

Does that mean you tinkered a lot as a kid?

“I could take things apart, but that doesn’t mean I would put it back together correctly — I’m not saying it always worked when I put it back together. I always had a few screws left over.”

What are you most proud of in your life?

“I’m happy in what I’ve achieved in my career. I take pride in the fact that I get along with coworkers, and I like to think that I’m easy to work with and fair.”

Favorite movie?

“I enjoy Star Wars — I like the original and I like the last three. The middle three (the prequels) were bad. Star Wars is what I grew up on.”

What type of music do you listen to?

Talk radio. WOWO.

What’s your favorite local restaurant?

Don Chico’s.