April 12 is Lineworker Appreciation Day, so it’s only fitting that we highlight one of our own lineworkers.

Gary Rowe, line superintendent at Miami-Cass REMC, started his career with the cooperative in 2003. He had wanted to be an electrician growing up; so when a previous boss told him about an opening at Miami-Cass REMC, he applied. He wasn’t exactly sure what the job entailed, but he knew it was electrical in nature and wanted to find out more. Rowe was subsequently hired as an apprentice lineman.

He worked as an apprentice for four years while completing the necessary training to become a journeyman lineman. At the end of his training, he was not only promoted to a journeyman lineman but also received an associate degree in applied sciences from Ivy Tech Community College.

As line superintendent, Rowe oversees and works with the line crew and apprentice linemen. He enjoys working outside and the comradery of working with the other linemen. He said there is a satisfaction in doing a job that not many want to do and being a part of something important.

Rowe said finishing his training to become a lineman and helping others complete their lineman training has been his proudest moments on the job. When asked about what success in his position looks like, he said keeping himself and his crew safe every day. 

Throughout his career with the REMC, Rowe said the greatest lessons he learned is to trust in his crew and to be confident in his training. His advice to new apprentice linemen: pay attention to your surroundings and ask questions. Rowe has seen many changes in the last 18 years, but he indicated the biggest changes have been in advancements in organizational and tool technologies used to do the job. 

Rowe has also volunteered to help other electric cooperatives when major storms have caused outages. When Hurricane Rita hit the U.S. in 2005, Rowe joined linemen from around the state to travel to the Louisiana area to help restore power. He and another lineman from Miami-Cass spent two weeks there providing mutual aid. When they returned, two other Miami-Cass REMC linemen took their place.

Rowe grew up in the Walton area and graduated from Lewis Cass High School. He and his wife, Ashley, still live in the area. The couple have been married 18 years and have two sons, ages 12 and 14, and a 10-year-old-daughter. In his spare time, Rowe enjoys spending time with his family. In the summer, the family especially enjoys camping and boating.

We at Miami-Cass are proud to have Rowe as part of the REMC family. He is a dedicated employee, and we are fortunate to have him on our team.