When Lucas Wamhoff was hired by Central Wisconsin Electric Cooperative (CWEC) as an apprentice lineman in early March, little did he know that two ice storms would hit the area roughly one month later, that resulted in an almost weeklong power restoration process.

Wamhoff said that week of restoring power was nerve-racking and hectic, but he assisted any way he could to restore power to CWEC members. And despite the 16-hour days, his goal to become a journeyman lineman was still strong.

Since his grandpa was an electric lineman, Wamhoff said he was familiar with the career, and when he was 18 years old, decided that was the career he wanted to pursue. Prior to joining CWEC, he said he worked for two different companies that electric cooperatives contracted work to. In addition, he was enrolled in school to work towards becoming a journeyman lineman.

CWEC contracted work to each of the contractors Wamhoff worked for, which allowed him to see firsthand how CWEC operates.

“We did contracted work here (CWEC) and I always liked the guys who worked here, and I thought it would be a good place to set some roots,” Wamhoff said.

At the time he was hired by CWEC, Wamhoff lived in western Wisconsin. Moving to the CWEC service territory wasn’t an issue for him, though.

“As long as I have my wife and my dogs with me, I can make home anywhere,” he said.

Wamhoff said he likes the area that CWEC serves and is enjoying his time at CWEC.

“I like the way the co-op does things with building the system and trying to stay updated with all the newer technology,” Wamhoff said.

Wamhoff is entering his fourth year of lineman apprentice school and is scheduled