Veterans
Steve Mitnick is President of Lines Up, Inc., Executive Editor of Public Utilities Fortnightly, and co-author of a new book, “Front Lines to Power Lines,” and before that the author of “Women Leading Utilities, the Pioneers and Path to Today and Tomorrow,” “Lewis Latimer, the First Hidden Figure,” and “Lines Down: How We Pay, Use, Value Grid Electricity Amid the Storm.” Rachel Moore is a staff writer at Public Utilities Fortnightly.
PUF's upcoming book, Front Lines to Power Lines by Steve Mitnick and Rachel Moore, chronicles the stories of thirty-five veterans and their transitions into the utility industry. We recount how they joined the military and their work in the service, as well as their transition into the utilities and their current roles at their companies. These individuals came from all over the country, from many different walks of life. And whether their path to the utilities was full of structured plans, or they simply took a chance on a new field, each story is unique. But one common thread among these stories is this: transitioning can be complicated. Although the military can be a springboard for finding your passion, it can also be isolating when you're moving from a combat zone to an office space.
Even so, it's clear that veterans contribute tremendous value to our utilities in a variety of ways. In the industry, there are veterans in every facet of the business. They're wearing hard hats and protective glasses at the plant or a blazer over a button-down or blouse at the corporate office. The stories we have collected illustrate just how instrumental military service has been in the career success of many of our industry's finest. This preview excerpts a few stories showcased in the book scheduled for publication next month.