James Lowry AUB'S Newest Journeyman Lineman

Media Contact:

Wayne Scarbrough

(423) 745-4501 ext. 6002

wscarbrough@aub.org

July 16, 2018


ATHENS, Tenn. – James Lowry is Athens Utilities Board’s (AUB) newest journeyman lineman and the utility’s most recent employee to receive an advanced certification within his field of work.

Lowry began his career with AUB as an apprentice lineman in 2014 and has since been through the process to earn his journeyman lineman certification.

Before starting the journey to become a lineman, Lowry worked for a local plumbing and electric company “I knew I wanted to continue working in McMinn County because of the good, honest people that live here. In order to do that, I had to start my lineman career elsewhere. My goal has always been to stay involved with my community,” Lowry said.

In 2012, Lowry became an apprentice lineman for Service Electric Company (SEC) out of Chattanooga, but his work was based in Florida. At the time, his plan was to complete the five-year apprenticeship program with SEC and then try to find a position as a lineman in McMinn County, his home.

“I wanted to be a lineman so I made the decision to travel throughout the week and be home on the weekends. I’m glad I remained patient and kept working hard.

“When I found out there was an opening for an apprentice lineman at AUB, I knew that it was the opportunity I had been waiting for,” Lowry stated.

In addition to completing his technical studies and field training at AUB, Lowry also runs a business, The Barn at Faith Farms in Niota.

Lowry has a passion for bettering his community both as an AUB lineman and as a private businessman.

“Coming home to work at AUB meant that I would have to extend the training period from five years to a total of six. I also run a business with my wife, Marissa, so the balancing act was a little tough, but the move was definitely worth it,” Lowry said.

The training to become a lineman is at times difficult because of the serious nature of the work.

“The five-year program includes intense field training, ample classroom work with detailed courses in line-worker safety, pole framing, distribution transformers and advanced mathematical electric system calculations,” stated Kevin Goins, AUB’s operations director and linemen crew supervisor.

Goins, who worked alongside crews until a couple of years ago when taking on the supervisor position, has seen Lowry’s work ethic firsthand in the field.

“James is very bright and has a work ethic that is tough to match. He pushes others around him to work harder, which is great for AUB and our customers.

“I would like to congratulate him on the fast approaching birth of his son. I know James is proud and will be a great dad. I can’t wait to see him continue to grow as an employee and also watch him take on his role as a dad,” Goins said.

Lowry and his wife, Marissa, reside in Niota. The couple is expecting their first child, Porter Floyd, in August.