Mississippi Power linemen proud to be part of profession

When Mississippi Power transmission lineman B.J. Hartfield suits up for duty, he leaves what he calls “the bad mojo” in the rearview mirror.

“None of us knows everything,” said Hartfield, a 10-year veteran who works in the company’s Hattiesburg Division. “When you think you know everything, that’s when the danger comes. Anything can happen.”

Hartfield and his colleagues are being recognized as part of National Lineman Appreciation Day this Saturday, April 18. He says his career has come a long way since 2005, when all he had was an interest in electricity.

“When I started, I was as green as I could get,” Hartfield said. “I did some customer and residential work in electricity, but what I do now as a lineman is 10 times better. My goal was to work for Mississippi Power, and I wouldn’t want to be anywhere else.”

That sentiment is shared by company Meridian Division lineman Stephen Moore, who’s been in the profession for 20 years, 10 with Mississippi Power.

“It’s an honor to be a lineman,” said Moore, a Meridian native. “I enjoy being part of the team and doing something different every day. I also like helping our customers. I love seeing the smiles on their faces when we get the lights back on.”

He also says that’s especially true during storm duty, when the spotlight shines on linemen working around the clock to restore electricity.

“It took us three days to travel to New York right after Hurricane Sandy,” Moore added. “Those folks up there couldn’t believe we drove there all the way from Mississippi.”

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