Who We Are - Line Brother's Keeper

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Zach began his career at Dickson Electric System in April 2004 after a career as a Nuclear Biological Chemical Defense Specialist in the United States Marine Corps. In March 2004, Zach ended his tour with the Marine Corps as a Sergeant and began working as an Apprentice Lineman for DES. Zach worked his way up to a Journeyman Lineman before transitioning to substation work in 2013. Zach took over as the Substation Maintenance Supervisor in 2016, overseeing the monitoring, maintenance, and general operations of eight electrical distribution substations serving 35,000 customers across Middle Tennessee. Zach and his wife share four children. Both his home and work family have been his greatest support system and source of strength throughout his recovery from a life-changing accident.

(Credit: E. Kuhns)

Zach

On August 25, 2017, I was in an accident at work. I sustained  2nd and 3rd-degree burns due to an arc flash from a substation breaker. I  spent 22 days at Vanderbilt Trauma Burn Center ICU. I had to undergo several surgeries, including skin grafts for my right forearm and eyelids.

Mylinda

As a line wife, you know the potential dangers of the job. You kiss your lineman before he leaves in the morning and again when he returns home. You never think he won't return. That doesn't happen to you or anyone you know. But, on August 25, 2017, I faced that reality. Zach sustained injuries from an arc flash. He had countless procedures. I went from being a wife to an advocate and caretaker for my husband. Someone had to speak for him because he couldn't. It's a difficult place to be when you still have kids at home.