Just eight years separate the end of a grandfather’s lineman journey and the beginning of his grandson’s own.

Kyle McDonald, a former Snapping Shoals EMC (SSEMC) lineman who retired in 2015, joined other SSEMC retirees, family, friends and staff in welcoming in a new generation of linemen by watching them participate in SSEMC’s 7th Annual Apprentice Lineman’s Rodeo.

The event is a fantastic opportunity for office staff to connect with linemen who are often out of office and on-duty, retirees have a chance to see some familiar faces, and everyone gathers after the competitive events for a meal prepared by Line Services personnel.

One of the linemen competing in the event was McDonald’s grandson, Jackson Allen.

“This is the first one I’ve been to and he’s the reason right there!” McDonald said, pointing to his grandson.

Allen, who joined SSEMC as a student intern shortly after graduating from Eastside High School in 2023, spoke about the influence his grandfather has had over his decision to become a lineman.

“If it weren’t for him, I wouldn’t have known anything about it, but this is what I want to do,” Allen said.

Having recently graduated from the Electrical Lineworker program at South Georgia Technical College and being promoted to Apprentice Lineworker I, this was Allen’s first opportunity to participate in the EMC’s annual rodeo.

When asked about the pressures of competing in front of a crowd, Allen suggested it wasn’t the office staff or retirees he was worried about.

“Shoot, I get more nervous about the people I’m used to, cause they’ll actually say something! They actually know what you’re doing and what you’re doing wrong, but I feel like I did alright. I didn’t run the events as clean as I’d like, but I had a good time!”

McDonald, who also joined the EMC shortly after graduating high school, recalled his time with Snapping Shoals EMC.

“I was here for 41 years. I graduated high school and a week later I came to work for Snapping Shoals. I was real fortunate to get a job here, cause they were real good to me and my family…and they have been blessed with good management and good people,” McDonald said.

“I’m very proud of Jackson. He knows what he wants to do, and I’m glad I got to see him out there today.”