In this special roundtable episode of The Co-Op Heroes podcast, we sit down with five co-op vegetation management leaders at the Trees and Utilities Show in Knoxville, Tennessee. Each person shared a story about the heroic actions and the community impact of their vegetation management team.

Featured Guests:

• Anthony Lindfors - Matanuska Electric Association (Alaska)
• Cindy Musick - Rappahannock Electric Cooperative (Virginia)
• Kevin Perkins - CORE Electric Cooperative (Colorado)
• Amanda Opp - Flathead Electric Cooperative (Montana)
• Jeff Wissing - Holy Cross Energy (Colorado)

Stories Shared:

Anthony introduces the "Hooded Llama Award," an internal recognition for crew members who go above and beyond, inspired by a Matanuska crew rescuing a llama with a feed bag stuck on its head during subzero weather.

Cindy recounts how a tree crew saved an elderly woman's life after spotting her in a ditch during a routine trim job. The crew had repositioned their bucket truck multiple times that day, and only from that specific angle could they see the barefoot woman who had wandered from her home. The story demonstrates both divine timing and the quick thinking of crews working through interpreters.

Kevin discusses the increasing volume of member calls about dead trees in Colorado, with requests jumping from 3-4 per week to 8 per day, and recognizes a utility forester on his team for his dedication to responding to every member concern.

Amanda shares the emotional story of his veg management administrator, who arrived for a scheduled appointment to find a member unconscious in his bathroom. Despite performing life-saving measures, the member did not survive, but Kyle's presence provided crucial support to the family during a difficult moment.

Jeff tells two stories: first, how his tree crew rallied around a young lineman's girlfriend after his sudden death, moving her entire household back to her family in southern Colorado; and second, about an old-school line superintendent who showed up after work to help dig footers for Jeff's father's garage.

Key Themes: The episode illustrates how vegetation management crews serve as eyes and ears in their communities, often being the first responders in emergencies simply by being present in rural areas. The stories demonstrate the cooperative difference, employees who don't just complete their assigned tasks but actively care for the communities they serve.

This roundtable format captures the collaborative spirit of the Trees and Utilities Show and the broader utility arborist community, where co-ops regularly share best practices and support one another across regional boundaries.

For more information about the Utility Arborist Association and regional events, visit uaa.org

The Co-Op Heroes podcast brings you real stories from electric utility operators, the people who work around the clock to keep our communities powered.