ATHENS UTILITIES BOARD CELEBRATES DYLAN COLEMAN’S JOURNEY TO JOURNEYMAN LINEMAN

Athens Utilities Board (AUB) is proud to recognize Dylan Coleman for successfully completing the rigorous requirements to become a Journeyman Lineman.

Coleman’s path to the line crew was anything but traditional. After graduating high school, he pursued his passion for baseball, playing at Chattanooga State Community College and later at the University of West Georgia. He earned a degree in Sports Management with a minor in Communications before beginning his career at AUB.

Coleman first joined AUB in 2016 in the wastewater division, where he worked for two years before transitioning to the water division for an additional two years. It was there that he discovered an interest in line work and entered AUB’s apprentice lineman program—a demanding five-year commitment requiring extensive classroom instruction, testing, and hands-on training.

“Dylan is the best of the best,” said David St. John, Superintendent of Power. “His work ethic, willingness to learn, and dedication to serving our community set him apart. We’re proud to have him on our team.”

Coleman said his experience working in multiple divisions helped prepare him for the challenges of line work, but it’s the ever-changing nature of the job that he enjoys most.

“I learned a lot in the other divisions, but I really enjoy the challenges of being a lineman,” said Coleman. “No day is the same, and that makes the job interesting.”

Throughout his apprenticeship, Coleman worked under three different foremen, gaining valuable knowledge and perspective from each crew. He also values the strong sense of camaraderie among linemen.

“The brotherhood is something special,” he said. “And being able to travel and help others during storm restoration—like during Winter Storm Fern—has been one of the most rewarding parts of the job. It’s a great feeling to make a difference for people when they need it most.”

Outside of work, Coleman enjoys spending time outdoors with his wife, CJ, and their two children, Remi and Lane. Whether at the lake or in the woods, he embraces the outdoors whenever he can.

AUB congratulates Dylan Coleman on this significant accomplishment and thanks him for his dedication to keeping the lights on for the community.