High voltage worker stories: shannon m.

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Manager of Regional Electric Operations

Prior roles: Sr System Operator, Sr Substation System Operator
Location: Middletown, DE

years in the trade: 16 years

@Shannmack 
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I think that most people don’t realize the extensive planning, coordination, and resources need to ensure that the lights turn on whenever you flip a switch—or to restore power quickly and safely after an outage affects your area.
 

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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? 

Growing up, the electric industry was a part of my daily life because my dad spent 37 years in the industry, starting in a power plant and eventually moving into electric system operations before retiring. As a kid, he would show me different pieces of equipment, explain how they worked, and even let me visit the control room at a young age. Those early experiences sparked my interest, and the deeper I got into electric operations, the more I grew to love it.

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

I think that most people don’t realize the extensive planning, coordination, and resources need to ensure that the lights turn on whenever you flip a switch—or to restore power quickly and safely after an outage affects your area. Repairs are often far more complex than people outside of this field think, yet impatience and criticism are common, especially with the influence of social media. It’s important to remember that workers are frequently out in dangerous weather, performing hazardous work, and spending long hours away from their families to get the lights back on for you and your family. 
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I think that most people don’t realize the extensive planning, coordination, and resources need to ensure that the lights turn on whenever you flip a switch—or to restore power quickly and safely after an outage affects your area.

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

The first time I went out of town for a mutual assistance trip was to Louisiana for Hurricane Ida. I had no idea what to expect, but when we arrived, the town was hit very hard, the damage was terrible. We were sent to the town of Houma, and after a day of assessing the damage, making plans, and clearing debris, we began setting new poles and pulling new wire. Soon, we were able to re-energize part of the primary circuit from the substation on one of the feeders. 
 

A moment I’ll never forget and that made me really proud to be a part of this industry was seeing a nearby family celebrate when their front porch light came back on—they were so excited, taking photos and immediately coming over to thank us all. All throughout Houma and the surrounding communities, families cheered us on and made sure we had food and drinks every day. Before this experience, most of my restoration work was limited to seeing data and SCADA system updates on my operator control screens. But having children draw us pictures and thank us in person brought a whole new level of meaning. I felt incredibly proud to be part of the team that restored power and helped these families take the first steps toward returning to normal life after such devastation. 
 

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

I like to think that I handle stress well, so I try to maintain that mindset when I’m put into intense situations but sometimes all that goes out the window when you are faced with natural disasters. So many unexpected things can happen, and it’s our job to figure out how to fix what mother nature tore through. One of the biggest storms we have had on our system here was Hurricane Sandy, and it was one of my first major storms in system operations and it was a lot to handle. There was a very large number of resources on the system, both from our company and external help there to help with restoration, and the pressure to keep those crews working continuously, make sure I knew who was working where on the system, and they were aware of who is was working around them, and to make sure I knew the details of every job was one of the most stressful parts of the event. My worst fear is multiple crews working on the same circuit or section of primary and not communicating with one another or with the control room and someone getting hurt as a result. As a system operator you have to trust your crews in the field but with all of the different companies and work locations it just adds stress and I handled that by taking a few extra steps and extra time to ensure everyone had situational awareness when we were energizing whether that was making an all call announcement on the radio or reaching out directly to over-communicate. That eased my mind, and it gave the crews confidence in me that I was looking out for them. 

What’s the hardest part (physical/mental) of the job and how do you handle it?

Working long hours, especially swing shifts, and maintaining focus to get the job done safely and communicate clearly is very mentally and physically demanding. I am not the one out in the field doing the physical work so I have a different perspective but, the combination of fatigue with high stress situations can take a toll and when people trust you to make important decisions or remotely operate devices that have real world consequences, its critical to be able to be clear headed. I try to prioritize sleep and be aware of when it’s time to take a mental break. 
 

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

Take your time. When I first started, I put a lot of pressure on myself to take quick action because I knew people were out of power. While it’s important to remember that fact, it’s more important to take your time, and to focus on what you’re doing and the people you are working with. All it takes is one mistake, and someone can be seriously hurt or worse – slow down, take care of yourself and the people you are working with. I’ve heard the saying, “slow is smooth, smooth is fast” and that’s the best way of approaching this work. I always try to people who are new to this line of work, taking your time and understanding what you’re doing is essential. Look out for yourself and the guys you are working with first, the work will get done.

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

Someone who understands and respects how critical electricity is to the world, and is willing to work hard, and very often work extended hours or travel to other areas, to make sure the lights stay on or get them back on. It’s a very rewarding job, but it can be demanding and someone who isn’t able to commit to that wouldn’t enjoy this field. It’s also important to understand that every situation and every day is different – you have to be adaptable and open to learning at all times. 

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

If you have any interest, I highly recommend pursuing it. If you have the opportunity of doing ride alongs or reaching out to someone who is already working in the trade to learn more, that’s also a good idea. Make sure it’s what you’re thinking it is, and if so – don’t hesitate, go for it. I love this work; it’s very rewarding being directly involved in such important work. Especially women - this field is very male dominated, and I think sometimes that makes women think they wouldn’t fit in or its not a job for them. I know many successful women in this industry who really enjoy the work they do, whether they are line workers, operators, or some other integral part of the operation. I’ve experienced nothing but support in this industry and it’s been a great experience, if you are interested and think it might be the right move for you, I recommend going for it or at least learning more about it. 
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It’s a very rewarding job, but it can be demanding and someone who isn’t able to commit to that wouldn’t enjoy this field

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

I have worked in union and non-union roles, and I work directly with union workers and union leadership every day in my current role. My company values safety, training, and taking care of their employees whether they are union or non-union so there isn’t a vast difference between the two, at least in my experience. I think there is a good working relationship between union and non-union, we all understand that we have a shared goal and responsibility to our customers and work together and support one another.  

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

Something that comes to mind was a minor mistake, the wrong tag was hung in the field and it was identified before any work was done. Although it was minor in this instance, to me it was a strong reminder of how little details like tag placement and correct tags can directly affect a workers ZOP and overall protection. It just drives the point home that you have to be detail oriented, and communicate effectively at all times for yourself and for the people you are working with. 
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Working long hours, especially swing shifts, and maintaining focus to get the job done safely and communicate clearly is very mentally and physically demanding.

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

I think having a supportive and understanding family is critical. Sometimes, OT or traveling comes during not ideal times like birthdays, holidays, weddings, etc. I’ve missed holidays but my family has always understood that it’s a part of this job. I’ve been away on mutual assistance trips for weeks at a time, and people in my life that aren’t in this industry are like “No way, I could never”, and that’s okay, but I enjoy this work and that’s a part of it so I’m okay with spending time away from home to help other people, and then getting back to my friends and family and prioritizing spending time with them when that’s all done. 
 

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

I started in my company as an intern, and I don’t think I would have ever thought I would have ended up where I am currently. I am the first female manager of regional electric operations in my company, so I have a lot of responsibility on my shoulders to not only prove that I am capable of this work and leading a strong team but that other women are too. That’s a big part of my future plans, getting more information about all of the opportunities in the operations out there for women – this is a field where men make up a majority of the work force but that doesn’t mean there isn’t a place for women too. All the guys I’ve worked with over the course of my career have been supportive and helped me along the way, and I wouldn’t be where I am or have the knowledge that I have without them. I want to keep building on that success, and get more people interested in the trades and this industry. 

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.

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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.

 

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