Energy that connects lives and communities

BY: NILBA PÉREZ

From way up, more than 40 feet in the air, shines the smile of Cisco Hernandez, a transmission line technician who shares Duke Energy’s mission to impact the lives of the community by bringing trust, safety and quality in the service they provide.

At dawn, wearing his gloves, boots, protective helmet and hooks, he checks that everything is in order to start his day. He works with electricity and knows that Duke Energy offers a public service where safety is key. “It’s not just about having a job, this work allows us to serve the people, to convey peace of mind and to create a relationship of trust between us”.

A descendant of Mexican immigrant parents, Cisco became the first in his family to study a technical career. He entered the world of industrial work and today feels the enormous satisfaction of serving thousands of families, especially Hispanic families who are grateful to hear a voice speaking to them in their own language. He is a source of pride for his family, especially his two children, Levi, 9, and Iliana, 8, who excitedly await their father’s time off to enjoy his company. “Working for Duke Energy is a way of life, an emergency can happen at any time or anywhere, and our vocation drives us to our work to restore power where it is needed.”

That commitment led Cisco and his Duke colleagues to stay for more than 60 days in Puerto Rico after Hurricane Maria destroyed the island’s electrical system. “My greatest joy was seeing people celebrating, having parties when the power came on, our work touches people’s lives and that is priceless,” he says.

He has been working for Duke Energy for seven years and one of his dreams is to be able to work with the transmission lines from helicopters. In the meantime, he focuses his energy on cable maintenance and the company’s program to minimize risks during the current hurricane season.

Every day, Duke Energy modernizes the grid and integrates new technologies, recognizing that its greatest asset is its people. The need for a skilled workforce is growing, and line workers play a key role in this work. “I want to encourage young people to take an interest in this career, which is very beautiful and fulfilling, plus it has a good economic impact for our families,” adds Cisco.

Line workers like Cisco are ambassadors in the communities, they are the face of the company. Community colleges in the area train those interested in this profession and Duke covers the tuition costs of these programs, benefiting young people who require it.

Cisco Hernandez considers it a great privilege to serve his community working for a company interested in serving clean energy, achieving its goals of zero emissions with the use of natural gas and reducing carbon emissions, which will have a great impact on the environment and the health of all. The commitment of Duke Energy and Cisco Hernandez is worthy of admiration, because with their work they make a difference in the lives of hundreds of thousands of people.

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Por: Dra. Martha Santiago Comisionada de la Junta Directiva del Condado de Polk marthasantiago@polk-county.net • Office # 863-534-6422