Mackinac Island is a popular summer destination for Michigan residents, but do you ever wonder what it would be like to live there?

Eli U., a lineworker who serves Northern Michigan, enjoys reflecting on his adventurous days as a kid on Mackinac Island.

From building forts in subzero temperatures to finding his passion for sports and being part of a team. Each experience helped shape him and led him down the path of becoming a lineworker.

“You either love it or hate it,” Eli said with a laugh about the brutal winters in Northern Michigan.  “Once the ice forms things really get interesting up there. It’s a different way of life.”

After graduating from Mackinac Island High School in 2003, Eli attended Alma College. Even college couldn’t drag him completely away and he returned to Mackinac Island during the summer months to work as a dock porter, carrying luggage to and from the hotels. “It was the best job ever,” he said. “Well, except the one I have now.”

The Dream Begins

Eli had dreams of being a lineman at an early age. His uncle was a lineworker as well as a family friend. He looked up to the two men who powered the island. Eli loved watching them work in all kinds of weather – sleet, snow, heavy rains during thunderstorms – and restored power.

He knew there was something different about the way they carried themselves. He saw their willingness to sacrifice birthday parties, holidays and anniversaries so they could restore power after a devastating storm.

“They were truly my heroes, I wanted to be just like them,” Eli said. “They were an inspiration to me. I still think about them all these years later.”

A Dream Becomes Reality

After graduating from Alma in 2007 with a business administrations degree, Eli learned, like many, that the state of the job market wasn’t favorable.

He was struggling with what path to follow. His uncle suggested following in his path and becoming a lineworker.

“I decided why not give it a shot,” he said. “It’s a job where you slowly build confidence that you can do what it takes to make it a career. And you aren’t stuck in the same location day  after day. I love the feeling of never knowing quite what to expect each day.”

Eli remembers the exact day he knew he was following the right career path.

It was September of 2008 during Hurricane Ike in Galveston, Texas. It was the first major storm that Eli responded to. And seeing the good he could do triggered something inside him he never felt.

“It feels good to turn people’s power back on,” he said. “I still get that same feeling today that I got back then.”

Over the years there have been thousands of interactions with customers.

“I’d say 99.9 percent of customers have been appreciative,” he said. “They stop and give you water, pop or food. I’ve seen people clapping and yelling out of the car to thank you. They’re just grateful for helping them out. It’s extremely satisfying.”

Challenging Work

The challenges are many, but one scenario stands out after all these years, he said.

“When it’s zero degrees and the wind is blowing sideways, it makes you realize that the most satisfying part of the job is also the hardest part,” Eli said.

And of course, there’s the physical toll.

“When I was in my 20s and even 30s it took two or three hours to recover – now it takes two or three days,” he said with a laugh.

He’s learned some things along the way with experience.

“I used to drink energy drinks, but I’ve learned it’s more important to stay hydrated and eat healthy.” He also tries to get his rest because the work wears on the body.

The Ties That Bind

Eli appreciates the union and company focus on working safely so he can return home to his wife and three children after every shift.

He also better understands the sacrifices he witnessed from his heroes many years ago.

“I’ve missed a lot more than I would’ve liked,” he said of the anniversaries, birthdays and holidays. “I’ve made a conscious effort to make them now, but sometimes you have no choice and everyone understands.”

The veteran lineworker said he highly recommends the role to younger generations looking for a challenging yet rewarding job.

“Give it a shot if you like working with your hands or being cold or hot doesn’t matter to you,” he said.

“It’s like being part of a team. You’ve got your crew, and you interact like a team, it’s like still being in a football or baseball locker room with amazing men and women, I’m so glad I discovered this career because I love it.”

Proud to be Part of a Legacy

Becoming a lineworker didn’t happen overnight or without a lot of support. Eli said a village was in place to help him become a lineworker and many still make it possible today.

“So many people over the years got me to where I am today,” he said. “I had great parents, and grandparents – family is very important to help, especially during times of sacrifice.”

And he’s thankful to those who blazed the trail for lineworkers.

“When you think about our forefathers, how could you not think about how hard they must’ve worked to get power to people and to help them during storms,” he said. “As a lineworker, I owe them everything. And as a society, we owe them a ton of debt and gratitude.”

Eli is extremely proud to serve Northern Michigan in many capacities, including being a coach for his daughter’s basketball team. He encourages their children to follow their dreams just as his family and friends encouraged him.

“I love this state and being part of a company that cares,” he said. “I’ll do whatever I can to make it a better place to live.”

While the weather can be brutal in Northern Michigan – from frigid temperatures and feet of snow in the winter to extremely hot in the summer – Eli and crews are ready to respond, just like they did during April’s historic ice storm.

“Northern Michigan was a great spot to grow up and I’ll always have a special place in my heart for it. I have no intention of going anywhere else. It’s where I want to live the rest of my days.”