2019 Hall of Fame
Jim Binkley
Jim Binkley is a dedicated, career lineman who has worked many jobs in the lineworker industry throughout his time in the field. From “tightening bolts” to climbing to stringing wire to transporting steel for transmission towers, Jim Binkley has seen many things in his time as a lineman. His linework career began in the early 1980s as a mechanic for the transmission crew at Irby Construction. He has even worked to build powerlines in the Navajo Nation. Throughout his career, Jim has taken on a few apprentices in linework, training them for a career in linework and how to stay safe on the job. Jim still serves as a member on the Board of Directors for Indiana Municipal Electric Association.
Charles Davis
Charles Davis is a career lineman, dedicated to safety, training, and getting the job done. Charles Davis not only served his community as a lineman, but also his country as a United States Marine. Charles started a safety program in Galion, Ohio for all linemen in the area. At AMP-Ohio, he dedicated his time to expanding their own safety program into Pennsylvania and West Virginia. He has also served with APPA through several programs and even served on the Board of Directors as the Vice-Chairman.
Clifton Droddy Jr.
Clifton “Bubba” Droddy Jr. served the lineworker industry for 46 years, starting at the age of 15! By the age of 19, he was already a Foreman. Clifton worked in many different places throughout his career, though most of his time in the industry was spent a T&D Solutions, Red Simpson Inc., and Seward Construction. Clifton and his brothers worked with their father, Clifton Droddy Sr., to build transmission lines across the country. Through his many years in the industry, Clifton Droddy Jr. accumulated a wealth of knowledge about the industry and its practices. He trained many deserving under-classmen in how to build and maintain powerlines while keeping safe on the job. Before starting a job, Clifton would do everything in his power to ensure the worksite was safe. His work ethic and renown capabilities in the industry were so positive that his apprentice would go on to work sites on his own and gain customer’s trust by simply telling them who his mentor was.
Harlan Stout
Harlon Stout served the lineworker community for 55 years at South Kentucky Rural Electric Cooperative Corporation. What separates Harlon Stout’s 55 years of service from other lineworkers who can also claim such a feat, is that he was an electrical lineworker for the full 55 years of his time in the industry. He spent 10 years on a line crew before spending the next 45 years as an electrical serviceman. His dedication to the serviceman industry was so exceptional that members in his select area would simply say, “Tell Harlon about my problem, he knows where I live,” and sure enough he would recognize the member’s name and would go to serve his community, fixing the problem.
Anthony Sylvers
Anthony Sylvers has spent over 27 years in the linework industry, promoting safe practices, recruiting new linemen, and training new apprentices. He is very involved in both his home community and the linework community, taking time to speak with line crews wherever he travels. He is dedicated to teaching safety in both community awareness of general safety practices and teaching safe linework practices to new generations of linemen.
Dale Warman
Dale Warman is an exceptional advocate for linework. Throughout his career, he has taken many young linemen under his wing and mentorship. He advocates for safety, encourages the community to learn about the importance and dangers of the linework industry, and promotes the industry to hopeful lineworkers. He is dedicated, hard-working, and persistent. Dale is one of the original founders of the International Lineman’s Rodeo and of the International Lineman’s Rodeo Association, of which he chairs. He has been instrumental in growing, promoting, and advocating for the annual rodeo and its importance for both the industry and the Kansas City community.
Charles West
Charles “Chuck” West has helped train hundreds of new linemen in the state of Illinois. After 42 years of linework, “Chuck” retired and was recruited to help train new linemen full time at the Association of Illinois Electric Cooperatives (AEIC). Previously, he had only helped train part time. Chuck has become a vital part of the training programs, remaining patient with the new linemen as they begin learning the difficult, daunting classes like “climbing.” Chuck also promotes safety and immersion in the program, having been to each of the co-op training sites in the state of Illinois. Chuck has been such an inspiring, vital part of the AEIC in his work, that there is a 20-acre training field at the college dedicated in his name.
