High voltage worker stories: Dwayne A. Neville Sr. 

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training instructor

Apprentice, Journeyman Lineman, General Foreman, Safety Supervisor, Superintendent, Training Instructor

Location: Tulsa, Oklahoma
years in the trade: 25+ years 

dnevillesr@ltspower.com
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It takes an athlete, a focused, driven for excellence, intelligent individual. Physically and mentally strong.

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Stories in the trade

This series hands the mic to the folks who keep the lights on—how they got in, what they’ve seen, and where the trade’s headed

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How did you first hear about the trade and how did you get into your first role? 

I first received the opportunity from an employee/friend I had to unjustly terminate; George T., he knew someone that worked at Davis H. Elliot. He applied and was hired as an apprentice. He asked if they needed anyone else, and the GF replied yes. George immediately called me. I applied, was hired, and forever grateful to George. I began as an AP3 due to my experience with Asplundh.

What’s one thing about this work that outsiders totally misunderstand?

The physical and mental toll of the trade. The dedication required. You must be an athlete! You must want to be a LINEMAN! Not just make a paycheck.
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A true LINEMAN is the most valuable in the JL position, taking the lead in the air, on hooks or flying buckets. 

Setting an example. Teaching good habits and directing apprentices.

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What’s your proudest moment on the job so far?

Team Farris - Oklahoma City, OK all the difficult poles we completed. We were consulted on all the difficult poles, and we chose which crew would help us. So many FLAWLESS VICTORIES!!! My foreman and eventually my best friend Captain Farris pushed what I thought possible, just by telling me, “It’s cake” that’s easy, one wire at a time.

What’s the most high-pressure or intense situation you’ve had to handle?

Watching my best friend fall from being struck with 4/0 copper in the face. I had to compose myself after he was rushed off by an ambulance, assume his foreman role (I was JL on crew working next pole across RR tracks), complete reconducting span, energize and complete job. Then go to the ICU unit to check on him and comfort his wife and daughter when they arrived at San Francisco. I have always coped with incidents and Safety Stand Downs by KNOWING and reassuring our wives and ourselves, I am better, smarter than the individual involved in the accident/injury. It killed me a little watching my fellow Superman friend take a fall.
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Training is available, be hungry, search for knowledge.

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 What do you wish someone had told you when you first started on the job?

STOP!!!! The LINEMAN position is the top of the trade! You are GOD in Powerline Land. Do not push, want, or be forced into a foreman position or higher. A true LINEMAN is the most valuable in the JL position, taking the lead in the air, on hooks or flying buckets. Setting an example. Teaching good habits and directing apprentices. If you possess great lead skills and work the lead LINEMAN position correctly. You are where you will do the most good.

What kind of person thrives in this work? What kind of person doesn’t?

It takes an athlete, a focused, driven for excellence, intelligent individual. Physically and mentally strong. If you don’t eat and drink healthily, take care of yourself, you will wash out. If you are in it for the money, you are in it for the wrong reason. A respected Foreman once told me, early in my career, “If you are not willing to show a picture of it proudly to other lineman, go back up and fix it. Don’t do sloppy work.” 

What advice would you give to someone who's just thinking about joining the trades?

Take it seriously or go elsewhere for money. You can’t coast here. Apply yourself, learn from those “old timers”. Slow down. Stick to the basics: Neutral first – neutral last. Mark your phasing, Test it. Know and mark your neutrals

Have you worked in both union and non-union environments? 

Yes 10-year pin IBEW seemingly a lifetime of non-union. One thing stays the same, union or non-union, after working in a show up, I can point out the LINEMEN that have my respect and then the “linemen”. I believe your big contractors have Dept. of Labor apprenticeships. Training is available, be hungry, search for knowledge. I invite everyone to contact me. I can teach you or we will both learn when I search for the answer. Pay in union tends to be a little better considering retirement and insurance but not as stable as being at home with family. That is Priceless!

What’s something that went wrong on the job but taught you something important?

Through the years, many times something did not go as planned. It always seems to come to the one simple rule; someone made the conscious decision to ignore safety. Own it! Admit it! Even if only to yourself. Learn – teach others.

How do you handle stacking OT or traveling for the job while having a family?

Stay true to your family. I didn’t travel until I knew my son in the trade was a LINEMAN I could respect. He is a better man than I am. He’s calm, collected, and quiet. I’m loud, abrasive and lack patience sometimes. My wife travelled with me till she passed. So, in our camper, her and I were always home. We had such a Great Line family we traveled with: Pat W. (the best man I ever worked for) Robert L, Socky, Splinter, Sam and too many honorable mentions to list. Everyone will find their Line Family.

What’s your career path look like (past, present, and future plans)?

Career Path? I’ve been there, done that, seen a lot, learned a lot. I loved making memories in Powerline Land. Putting on the LINEMAN Show and handing out tickets for it. I now accepted an instructor position as of November 2025. 

 

I am overwhelmed by how much I love teaching and the appreciation I receive from the apprentices that I teach. I’m loving this contribution to Powerline Land. I’ve told my grandkids jokingly, “buy candles and generators when PaPa retires, your dad (who is my son and second best LINEMAN I know) won’t be able to keep the lights on all by himself.” But I’m gaining new hope as I meet and teach the next generations in our trade. 

 

I now feel responsible for our trade’s future, teaching these babies. Developing them into quality line hands to past the torch to. I need to stay in the game to teach, develop 3D (Dwayne III), witness him becoming a LINEMAN. I just know he will make his dad and I proud. He’ll be 2 years old in January 2026. 

 

Someday my son will inherit my Oklahoma license plate “L1NEMAN” from me and hopefully he will remember me and smile and be proud. I’m going to relax and know they are capable as I enjoy life with my G.O.A.T, Mechelle. If you have your G.O.A.T stay with her treat her right. The worst thing in the world is having no one or worse yet the wrong one. 

 

Stay safe, stick to basics, slow down, enjoy the memories in Powerline Land. Enjoy your family. Blood and line families you create and add to.

we’re opening the floor to the folks who do the work

⚡ Features of real workers in the trade 
⚡ Craft features 

⚡ Tips for the trade

Just real experiences, real lessons learned, and real advice from people who do this work every day.

We want to hear from you

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We're High Voltage Industries

High Voltage Industries started because the most dangerous and essential work in America is also the most invisible. You put your lives on the line every single day and people don't even know what you do. 

 

We're here to share your stories and honor the sacrifices you make so people can flip a switch every day. And we make gear for those who literally risk their lives to keep the world running.

This is your story

Working in conditions others won't face, taking risks others can’t even imagine, solving problems others can't understand, carrying responsibility others can't handle. The grid doesn't maintain itself.

 

We're telling that story.