JAKE JOHNSTON
Eagle River,AK
Summary
Senior utility line operations leader and journeyman lineman with over 16 years of extensive experience in contracting, multi-state travel, and utility operations. Developed comprehensive expertise in overhead and underground distribution and transmission, energized transmission work, helicopter-supported construction, storm restoration, and fire-hardening projects. Progressed from journeyman to area manager, effectively leading crews and multi-state projects while ensuring strong safety and margin performance, currently overseeing all line operations at Chugach Electric Association, Alaska’s largest member-owned electric cooperative, with full P&L responsibility for a $12.43M budget, 46 employees, safety, reliability, outage response, labor relations, and board-level communication.
Overview
1
1
Certification
17
17
years of professional experience
Work History
Senior Manager, Line Operations
Chugach Electric Association
Eagle River, AK
04.2026 - Current
- Direct all transmission and distribution line operations for Alaska's largest electric cooperative.
- Lead 46 employees with full accountability for safety, reliability, outage response, maintenance execution, contractor oversight, labor relations, and a $12.43M budget.
- Delivered measurable safety and efficiency gains: reduced recordable injuries 44% and DART injuries 78%, improved DART/OSHA/Lost Time rates, cut overtime 37% and lost workdays 50% by implementing standardized reporting, OT/meal entitlement tracking, and front-line management tools.
- Led implementation and coaching of On-Call Duty Supervisor program, strengthening after-hours command and field leadership, directly improving SAIDI, SAIFI, and CAIDI.
- Improved system reliability through aggressive overhead maintenance programs and leadership of PSPS mock events.
- Present regularly to the Board on operational performance, risks, and execution priorities.
- Secured LOA and launched HEC long-line helicopter program, first of its kind for Alaska utility, achieving 35% cost savings over traditional methods.
- Secured executive approval and currently leading procurement for a $1.3M directional drill rig and associated UG directional drilling contract.
Manager, Maintenance & Construction
Chugach Electric Association
Eagle River, AK
11.2025 - 04.2026
- Coordinated maintenance and construction execution, prioritizing safety culture, outage coordination, crew planning, and helicopter utilization.
- Implemented mandatory daily tailboards, DVIRs, and 360 walk-arounds to strengthen safety culture and enhance planning quality.
- Completed the GWTP Transmission Line Re-insulation Project two weeks early and $200k under budget while maintaining full NESC compliance.
- Supported launch of the Duty Supervisor Program for improved after-hours response.
Superintendent / Interim Area Manager
Mountain Engineering
01.2023 - 01.2025
- Delivered projects on time and under budget with zero accidents, achieving over 20% gross profit margins on major contracts, including $99M, 3-year engagement with SMUD.
- Managed crews, schedules, safety programs, and customer coordination to ensure project execution.
- Led multi-state T&D construction projects (4kV-230kV) across multiple utilities.
- Contributed to major storm event management by ensuring timely support and effective resource allocation.
Superintendent / General Foreman / Interim Area Manager
Intren
CA
01.2019 - 01.2025
- Directed distribution and transmission projects in high fire-threat district, enhancing safety and reliability.
- Reduced project costs by 15% through disciplined planning and execution.
- Managed cost control, ensured safety compliance, coordinated outages, and optimized crew performance.
- Supported restoration activities during significant storm events, facilitating rapid recovery efforts.
Line Foreman / Journeyman Lineman
Multiple
Multiple, United States
01.2010 - 01.2019
- Executed complex energized and de-energized T&D work (4kV-138kV) across 10+ states, ensuring safety and compliance.
- Led crew in installation and maintenance of power lines and electrical systems.
- Responded to emergency outages, restoring service in a timely manner.
- Supervised daily activities of linemen working in the field.
- Specialized in helicopter-supported construction and storm restoration, maintaining high safety standards under utility, NESC, and OSHA regulations.
- Ensured compliance with safety regulations and industry standards on job sites.
- Collaborated with engineers to plan complex line construction projects.
- Trained new employees on safety protocols and equipment usage.
- Ensured that all work was completed according to company standards and specifications.
Education
Barehand Certified - Energized High Voltage Work Up To 750kv
AEP Barehand School
Ohio, IL01-2012
High School Diploma -
Powder Valley High
North Powder Oregon03-2008
Skills
- Utility project management
- Operations management
- Project management
- Safety compliance
- Reliability management
- Safety performance
- Emergency response planning
- Emergency response strategies
- Cost reduction strategies
- Budget management
- Budget oversight
- Resource allocation
- Operational performance
- Crew planning
- Customer coordination
- Team leadership
- Cross-functional collaboration
- Operations leadership
- Labor negotiations
- Aerial construction techniques
- Performance management
- Board communication
- Operations planning
Certification
- AEP Barehand up to 750 kV
- OSHA 10 / 10 ET&D / 30
- Human External Cargo / Longline
- Brady Hansen Written in Red EPZ, Tagging & Rigging
- FEMA IS-00100.c: Introduction to the Incident Command System, ICS-100
Accomplishments
- Drove significant safety gains, reducing recordable injuries 44% and DART injuries 78% YTD through June 2026 (DART rate 4.53 → 0.97, OSHA rate 4.53 → 2.43, Lost Time rate 2.02 → 0.49) while cutting overtime by 37% and lost workdays by 50%.
- Reduced system SAIDI to 84.00 minutes, SAIFI to 1.15, and CAIDI to 72.80 minutes.
- Completed the GWTP Transmission Line Re-insulation Project two weeks early and $200k under budget.
- Manage $12.43M Line Operations budget while executing major capital projects, including procurement of a $1.3M directional drill rig and UG directional drilling contract.
- Launched Alaska's first utility Human External Cargo (HEC) long-line helicopter program, securing the LOA and delivering approximately 35% cost reduction versus conventional methods.
- Implemented ABSORB LMS and Davey tree/pole inspection programs to strengthen training and asset management.
- Earned multiple Spot Awards for operational excellence and innovation.
- Present regularly to the Board on Line Operations performance, risks, and strategic priorities.
- Led a $99M, 3-year contract with SMUD that consistently exceeded 20% gross profit margins.
Military Service
U.S. Army & Army National Guard, 01/01/08, 12/31/14, Combat Arms, Cavalry Scout (13 Foxtrot), Honorable discharge. 14-month Iraq deployment.
Timeline
Senior Manager, Line Operations
Chugach Electric Association
04.2026 - Current
Manager, Maintenance & Construction
Chugach Electric Association
11.2025 - 04.2026
Superintendent / Interim Area Manager
Mountain Engineering
01.2023 - 01.2025
Superintendent / General Foreman / Interim Area Manager
Intren
01.2019 - 01.2025
Line Foreman / Journeyman Lineman
Multiple
01.2010 - 01.2019
Barehand Certified - Energized High Voltage Work Up To 750kv
AEP Barehand School
High School Diploma -
Powder Valley High