Georgia EMC's VP of Training and Safety Inducted Into International Lineman's Hall of Fame
Monday, November 18, 2024
Posted by: Kim Broun
 (Tucker, Ga., Nov. 18, 2024) Harry Reeves, vice president of training and safety at Georgia EMC, was recently inducted into the International Lineman’s Hall of Fame for the significant impact and positive changes he has made to the line industry during his 50+ year career in the electric cooperative industry. He was recognized for this honor during Georgia EMC’s Annual Meeting on November 11.
Established in 2006, the International Lineman’s Hall of Fame honors, acknowledges and pays respect to lineworkers who have made notable contributions to the industry. This year, six linemen were inducted into the Hall of Fame.
“Linework is more than a profession – it’s a calling,” said Dennis Chastain, president of Georgia EMC. “It’s a calling for people who, at their core, beats the heart of a servant. A heart filled with passion to serve other and help their fellow man. No one embodies that more than Harry Reeves.”
Reeves began his is career as a lineman at Central Georgia EMC, working his way up to journeyman lineman and ultimately serving as the supervisor of operations. After 31 years of service, he retired from Central Georgia EMC and began his second career at Georgia EMC in 2006, working as a training and safety instructor to provide training for employees at Georgia’s 41 EMCs.
Since his promotion to his current role as vice president of training and safety in 2017, Reeves has completely revamped the organization’s safety and training processes and initiatives to create an up-to-date and constantly evolving program that keeps current with line industry standards. In addition, he increased the number of training opportunities while decreasing class sizes, allowing for more individualized training for linemen at all stages of their careers.
“Even after 50 years in the industry, it’s not uncommon to see Harry put on his climbing tools at the training center to teach new employees proper techniques,” said Mike Benton, manager of training at Georgia EMC. “That mindset to serve is what has earned Harry the respect of linemen at EMCs across Georgia.”
Reeves has worked with each of the 41 EMCs across the state and his impact on safety among EMC employees can be seen at each location.
“Harry maintains an unwavering commitment to safety and training with the God-given talent to deliver it to each individual in a special way,” said Lewis Sheffield, general manager of Little Ocmulgee EMC in Alamo, Ga. “I have watched him climb poles in demonstration for pole top rescue, open the top of transformers to teach hands on how to 'alley cat, bad dog' in banking classes, and bring tears to the eyes of linemen in our training room with his heartfelt stories.”
“Harry has made a significant impact not only on EMC linemen, but all EMC employees with the quality of training offered for all areas,” said Terri Howard, president and CEO of Oconee EMC in Dudley, Ga. “His hands-on approach to training and that of his instructors has forever changed the safety culture at our EMC.”
“Harry positively influences every lineman that he encounters to care about each other, to protect each other, to speak up and to always work in the safest manner possible – every time,” said Wendy Sellers, president and CEO of Washington EMC in Sandersville, Ga. “He teaches not only the technical, but the human and emotional side of the job of being a lineman.”
The International Lineman’s Hall of Fame Award is organized by the International Lineman’s Museum located in Shelby, NC. Dedicated to preserving the history of linemen and the electric utility industry, the International Lineman’s Museum has inducted deserving candidates into the International Lineman’s Hall of Fame since 2006.
About Georgia EMC:
Georgia EMC is the statewide trade association representing the state’s 41 electric cooperatives, Oglethorpe Power Corp., Georgia Transmission Corp. and Georgia System Operations Corp. Collectively, Georgia’s customer-owned co-ops provide electricity and related services to 4.4 million people, nearly half of Georgia’s population, across 73 percent of the state’s land area. To learn more, visit www.georgiaemc.com and follow us on Facebook and X.
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