Derek Haynes, lineman foreman for Miami-Cass REMC, started his career with the cooperative in September 2018 as a lineman. He worked in that position for his first year and transitioned to lead lineman for two years before starting his current position.

As lineman foreman, Haynes is responsible for informing the crew of jobs, allocating daily responsibilities, overseeing safety and recording lineman productivity. He enjoys working with the crew and being able to deliver reliable, cost-effective electricity to the members. Haynes considers each day successful if the job was completed safely.

He grew up in Gilead and is a 2002 graduate of North Miami High School. After graduating high school, Haynes worked in construction for five years. During that time, he had an accident which took him a year and a half to fully recover. As part of his recovery, Haynes had to do physical and speech therapy, and he couldn’t walk for six months. 

After leaving construction, he worked for five years as a jailer at the Miami County Jail. When Haynes left the jail, he went to Peru Utilities where he worked as a lineman. While at Peru Utilities, Haynes went back to school and graduated from Indiana Wesleyan University with a bachelor’s degree in business.

He married his wife, Brittany, 10 years ago, and they live in Denver with their nine-year-old daughter and two sons, ages eight and three. Haynes enjoys spending time with his family, traveling, fishing, shooting and riding four wheelers. He said he is happiest when he spending time and sharing a meal with friends and family. Haynes also enjoys working with wood and making furniture.

A couple of interesting facts about him are that Haynes has a twin sister and his grandpa served as the president of Fulton County REMC in Rochester. 

Something he has never tried before but would like to is skydiving. Also on his bucket list is traveling to Jerusalem, Paris and Rome.  

Haynes appreciates the cooperative not only takes an interest in him as an individual, but in his family as well. His advice to someone who would be new to his position would be to pay attention and stay safe.

We at Miami-Cass REMC are proud to have Haynes as part of the co-op family. He is an asset to our team, and we are thankful for his years of service.