Being a rural electric cooperative, Noble REMC sees our fair share of farmhands-turned-lineworkers. Our newest journeyman lineman, Eli Stangland, is no exception.

Stangland began his tenure here in April after five years with the City of Columbia City, where he completed his apprenticeship to earn his journeyman designation after being inspired by his father’s 20-year career at NIPSCO.

Making the move to our cooperative allowed him more experience and exposure out on the lines.

“Being at the city, it was a smaller utility. Here I’m able to do more, more often and get more exposure to further my skills,” Stangland said.

So far, he’s enjoyed the friendly atmosphere and the camaraderie that comes with this work, compared to farming and owning your own business, which he loved but found could be a lonely and much more stressful endeavor, he said.

When he’s not at the co-op, Stangland loves to spend time with his wife, Audra, and two children, Leo, 7, and Bri, 5. He also enjoys hunting waterfowl and pheasant, as well as golfing.