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In this issue’s Safety Throwback, we are taking a look back at KEN BRUBAKER.

Ken began his career as an apprentice lineman in 1972 at Tricounty REC. After working his way up to crew foreman, he then left Tricounty in 1985 and went to work for Fred Alspauch, Director of Job Training and Safety, OREC, at the statewide association.  

When Ken was hired by the statewide, he and Lynn Askins served as the two JT&S instructors. Bob Cleveland was the CEO and Mike Core was the VP of Statewide Services at that time. Lynn would later become JT&S Director and Ken would be hired by Mike Sims at Butler Rural EC in 1993 as the co-op's safety manager. He would be one of the few full-time safety personnel in Ë¿¹Ï¶ÌÊÓƵ at the time.

In 2000, Ken was hired by NRECA as the Director of the RESAP Program and served in that role until retiring from the industry in 2010.

Following retirement, Ken was elected to serve on the Tricounty board of directors in 2011 until he became term limited in September 2023. Ken said that this picture of him speaking at NUTSEA was likely taken sometime around 1995 or shortly after.

It’s quite amazing that Ken would begin his career at Tricounty REC as an apprentice lineman in 1972 and then go back and serve on the board until 2023.

Thanks for your dedication to the cooperatives, Ken! Ken still resides in Tricounty’s service territory.